TNAG-2676-FCO40-3873-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 156

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D/ACDS (0)/181/51

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11 May 1993

17 MAY 1993

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1993 REVIEW OF THE HONG KONG GARRISON OUTLINE WITHDRAWAL PLAN

Reference:

A.

1.

Our D/ACDS (0)/181/51 dated 23 Apr 937

(54)

Thank you for your comments on the 2* circulation of the Hong Kong Garrison Outline Withdrawal Plan. I am most grateful for your helpful responses; produced against a very tight staffing timetable.

2. You will wish to be aware that some reservations were expressed by ACNS and ACAS over the proposal to grant CBF HK Full Command of all elements of the Joint Garrison; and further work on this aspect of the Review will be necessary before its submission to HODs. As anticipated, ACDS(Prog) commented that he is unable to provide his full endorsement of the paper until

until the financial information (intended for inclusion in the HODS draft) is available. AUS (GF)

information in the HODs draft. ACGS and ACDS(L) both commented that HQBF HK should move to a fully Joint HQBF HK, with tri-Service representation within a unified HQ. As an extension of this, ACDS(L) also expressed the view that implementation of the final phases of the rundown plan should be commanded by this Joint HQ, rather than by the remaining Land Forces HQ as currently envisaged. Finally, several responses noted the ongoing discussions concerning the policy for the rundown, and that the outcome of these could bear on the validity of responses to the 2* draft.

provided additional guidance on the presentation of funding

3.

Apart from these issues, and a few additional points which will be taken into account in the HODS draft, the 2* draft received the broad approval of all addressees, and I would normally have expected the next draft to be staffed to HODS with minimal further consideration and amendment, other than in respect of command and control issues.

4.

It had been intended to circulate the HODS draft on or by 20 May 93. However, as you may be aware, the initial response of the Governor HK to the COS policy paper (on which the 1993 Review is founded) did not support that paper. The Governor has indicated his particular interest in the possibility of reducing the HK Garrison considerably faster than is planned currently: possibly achieving a one battalion Garrison by the end of 1994, and making other significant savings commensurate with an earlier rundown.

5. Early reduction to a symbolic military presence would have significant implications for the Garrison's support infrastructure, and could have as yet unidentified impacts on the RN and RAF presence in HK. The Hong Kong Government (HKG) is being advised by

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