TNAG-2675-FCO40-3872-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 99

8 April 1993

Brig. A de CL Leask

DO (FEW)

Room 5179

Main Building

Ministry of Defence

SECRET

HKA 063/1

File

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

London SWIA 2AH

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY Telephone: 071- 270-2655

3 APR 1993

DESK CHANGER

REGISTRY

PA

¡Action Tak

Dea Brigadier Leark,

1993 REVIEW OF THE GARRISON WITHDRAWAL PLAN: ONE STAR DRAFT

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1. Thank you for passing me a copy of the above draft. I have the following comments:

i) para 4 final sentence. We suggest that the role of the garrison should be described as "the demonstration of Britain's commitment to Hong Kong". "Guardian" carries overtones of defending Hong Kong against Chinese invasion which is not the garrison's primary role.

ii) paragraph 33, second sentence. Add after arrangements the phrase "and financial implications";

iii) paragraph 40, first sentence. While I am not sure what 'directly associated assets' comprise, I do not think we should consider transferring assets to the PLA garrison unless we are committed to doing so. I therefore suggest that the word 'any' be added before 'directly associated assets'.

iv) In the same Paragraph, The Chinese will not accept that HKG should be responsible for the facility transfer. I suggest the second sentence of that paragraph should begin ` formally this will be the responsibility of HMG, in practice HKG will need to act as agent but the garrison will need to assist where appropriate

v) It might be worth spelling out a bit more what is meant by reference to contingency arrangements for an evacuation, as necessary, of UK personnel. Who precisely is it envisaged would be evacuated? Is this in addition to the very limited planning that is in existence for evacuations before the last few months?

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