CONFIDENTIAL
culmination of a lengthy period of planning and review designed to produce a withdrawal plan which allows for an orderly departure in 1997, whilst preserving the garrison's
effectiveness.
Q7. Is there any significance in the timing of this
announcement vis a vis the Sino-British political dispute/the
constitutional talks in Peking?
A7.
No, the issues are not related.
Q8. Is there any significance in this announcement vis a vis the defence lands talks/future of particular sites?
A8. No.
The garrison will gradually vacate premises, and
hand them back to the care of the HKG. Decisions on which of
the sites will in future be occupied by the Chinese military
authorities have yet to be agreed, and are the subject of
continuing discussions in the JLG.
Q9. Is there any linkage between this announcement and recent allegations of overstretch in the British Army worldwide? Is Hong Kong being left defenceless to provide troops for Bosnia?
A9.
HMG regularly reviews its military commitments around the
world, and the decisions on the Hong Kong garrison should be seen as part of this continuous process. Repeat that this is
a culmination of a lengthy period of planning and review of the Hong Kong garrison withdrawal plans.
[If pressed on Bosnia: this announcement is nothing to do with the current situation in Bosnia, nor does it presage
further UK deployments there; emphasise that the Black Watch
are not expected to leave HK until well into next year.]
Q10. Has the security situation in Hong Kong played a part in
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.