A
Private Secretary
тих мітаг
SECRET
HKA 063/1
6.5. Doney
17 MA 1993
Mixanter
PS/Mr Goodlad
Private Secretary
+
Scoretan V8
Istati
55
سه
10
-7 MAY 1993
5
FROM: FF Ricketts
PF
Hong Kong Department
DATE:
6 May 1993
10/5
CC:
Sir J Coles o/r
Sir T Daunt
Mr Hum o/r
Mr Lever
Mr Donnelly, NPDD
Mr Gomersall, Sec Pol Dept Mr Fry, FED
AS 815.
HONG KONG: THE GARRISON
Problem
1. MOD thinking on the future size of the garrison is evolving rapidly in the direction of the Governor's suggestion of an early reduction to one battalion. How best to ensure that the wider political factors are fully weighed?
Recommendation
2. That we and the MOD should aim to produce a joint memorandum for OPD (K) considering the case for early run-down, and also assessing the risks. This would be cleared with the Governor and could then form the basis for collective Ministerial decisions.
Background
3.
My minute of 7 April summarised the Governor's exchanges with the MOD about the need for early savings for HKG in the cost of the garrison.
4.
The Governor and the Defence Secretary met during the Governor's visit to London. The Defence Secretary told the Governor that the MOD had considered the case for reducing the garrison quickly to a symbolic presence, but had concluded that, given the present problems with China, it would be better to stick for the moment with the present plan. (of the present three battalions, one to disappear by amalgamation of the two Gurkha battalions in December 1994; a second to go in
goodlad6.5MIN.NJH
SECRET
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