TNAG-2676-FCO40-3873-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 122

Your Ref: D/SEC(O) (C) 6/7

Our Ref:

Date: 25 May 1993

BY FLASH TUBE

D Bowen Esq

SEC (O) (C)

Room 5314

Main Building MOD

Dear Desmond,

SECRET

HKA

063/1

HONG KONG: FUTURE OF THE GARRISON

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

London SWIA 2AH

Telephone: 071-

Zile

68

270-2650

(W67)

1. Thank you for your letter of 19 May-enclosing the two-star draft of the OPD (K) paper. I have a number of detailed comments on the draft which I have discussed with Mr Hum.

i) on second thoughts we would wish to rephrase the section on Chinese reactions and I therefore enclose a new paragraph 10 and 10 a) on this.

ii) In our previous formulation for what is paragraph 6 in this draft we suggested ending with "Credible and effective reinforcement arrangements would be essential". I know that you stress the importance of reinforcement elsewhere, but we wished to make clear that credible reinforcement arrangements would contribute to reducing Chinese concerns.

iii) On Paragraph 11, begin a new sentence with "A few..." in line 4. In the final sentence of that paragraph it could be rephrased "... rather than any perceived diminution of the UK's commitment to Hong Kong

"

iv) Paragraph 15 a (1) should be rephrased as "handling with the Chinese and public handling in Hong Kong and in the UK"

2. I am copying the draft paper and this letter to Nigel Cox in Peking in case Sir Robin McLaren has any comments on it overnight.

You ever

Jola

J Morris

SECRET