TNAG-2677-FCO40-3874-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 192

DRAFT LETTER TO CHAIRMAN OF HCDC (AND CHIEF OPPOSITION SPOKESMAN]

HONG KONG

I thought you might appreciate advance notice of a Written Answer being published this afternoon setting out our broad plans for the staged withdrawal of the Hong Kong garrison between now

and June 1997. I attach a copy of the text of the Answer.

This announcement comes after a lengthy period of planning

and review and follows on from reductions that have already been

made in the size of the garrison. We felt that 1997 was sufficiently close to justify setting out our plans for the remainder of the lifetime of the garrison. As you know the demise of the Hong Kong commitment was one of the key assumptions in drawing up our plans for the size of the Armed Forces - and in particular the Army under Options for Change. This announcement

simply describes how we believe the withdrawal can be best effected, taking into account the security situation in and around Hong Kong; the expanding capabilities of the Hong Kong police; and the need to make the most cost-effective use of our military resources. I should also add that this announcement does not imply any change in our longer term plans for the future of the Brigade of Gurkhas.

We have informed the Chinese of our plans, and the Governments of Nepal and Brunei, given their interest in the

Gurkhas.

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