TNAG-2675-FCO40-3872-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 131

during the withdrawal.

DRAFT

SECRET UK EYES A

Due to its significance to the management and

conduct of the final months of the British presence in Hong Kong, the

options for the involvement of the NTF in the withdrawal will be a key

issue for CBF's withdrawal plan. There will be a requirement to

exercise the withdrawal plan as far as practicable. However, the

sensitivity and practical difficulties of exercising in Hong Kong

before 1997 a NTF-supported withdrawal will require consideration of

alternative means of achieving this: such as by MAPEX (CHARTEX) and

wargaming.

37. A RN Group deployment to the Far East, which will include a CVs,

is planned and funded to coincide with the withdrawal of the Garrison

from Hong Kong. The precise timing of the arrival of a NTF in Hong

Kong, and its composition will be the subject of further study by the

Naval Working Group, in conjunction with HQBF Hong Kong. The HKSC will

be advised of their detailed recommendations by February 1994. There

will still be a significant requirement to withdraw personnel by air,

but it should be assumed that where equipment is to be back-loaded

routinely to UK this would normally be accomplished by commercial

shipping.

38. Use of a NTF to effect the final withdrawal and support the

Garrison operationally during the final period of the drawdown

attracts the following operational and presentational advantages:

21

SECRET UK EYES A

DRAFT