TNAG-2675-FCO40-3872-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 153

hum7.4

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X

1

We will need to ensure that any proposal for a more rapid run-down of the garrison takes account of political considerations. In particular, we will need to consider the risk of a perception (in Hong Kong and in China) of a diminishing British commitment to Hong Kong and also whether a small residual garrison would leave us with adequate capability to deal with any foreseeable internal security problem. The Governor's advice on that will be crucial: Ministers might wish to discuss collectively eg in OPD (K).

Richa

Lichett

PF Ricketts

I agree on X. The political and military inglicaties of

accalarter

om

-dam

would read to be carefully andypet

and basised betwen Ministes.

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сири