DRAFT
SECRET UK EYES A
b. The ending of accompanied service for all less the last
Gurkha battalion in August 1996; and for that battalion in
November 1996. From August 1996 the required infantry force level
is to be found by roulement.
c. Further consideration was to be given to the option of
deployment of a RN CVS group to the Far East in early 1997, to support the Garrison's final withdrawal.
d. The broad financial implications of withdrawal plans were to
be made clear to the Hong Kong Government (HKG).
e.
The principal events in the programme for the rundown of the
Garrison should be released generally to the public in Hong Kong
and the UK]].
AIM
3.
review CDS 7/874 and make
The aim of this paper is to recommendations for defence policy decisions.
POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE
4. The period to 30 June 1997 is set against the background of an
increasing awareness of the Hong Kong population of the need to relate positively and pragmatically to the PRC, of the increasing ability of
the Royal Hong Kong Police (RHKP) and Government Flying Service (GFS)
to carry out those tasks formerly met by the Garrison, and of the
continuing financial cost to the HKG of sustaining the Garrison in
accordance with the Defence Costs Agreement (DCA). The proposals for increased democracy announced in October 1992 caused uncertainty in
4
As amended by CDS 32/91 and COSSEC 1042/756.
4
SECRET UK EYES A
DRAFT
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