TNAG-2677-FCO40-3874-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 218

香港總督府

SECRET

Деви јоки,

FAX

See letter our

GOVERNMENT HOUSE

17/7

HONG KONG

от

12 July 1993

Mchants, мені

ti.

Un Bunter,

ле

Arvin Al

Jiel

141

Garrison Withdrawal

We have since

Thank you for your fax about the Chancellor's minute of 29 June on garrison withdrawal. seen Mr Rifkind's minute of 7 July.

J

while

The approach suggested by the Chancellor cheaper for HMG - could cost MG a great deal more than the OPD (K) proposals. Since UK battalions and support infrastructure are far more expensive than their Gurkha equivalents, we would face a higher bill for the period April 1995 to late 1996. There would also be extra costs associated with maintaining support facilities and barracks for a UK battalion between the departure of the Black Watch and the arrival of a UK replacement in April 1995. Under this option, it may not be possible to achieve enough savings to avoid difficulty with the Legislative Council over defence costs - which was of course one of the main reasons for the decision to speed up the withdrawal of the garrison.

This point is clearly made in Mr Rifkind's minute. But we are concerned that, while the minute sets out a strong case for sticking to the OPD (K) proposal, it commits MOD to exploring the Chancellor's proposal. We would be grateful if you would sound out MOD officials as to whether the costing exercise now under way is likely to lead to a switch in plan.

and depending on the financial impact on Hong Kong - the Governor may want to ask the Foreign Secretary to intervene on our behalf.

JC Morris Esq

You

ever

Майй

(Martin Dinham)

Personal Adviser to the Governor

Hong Kong Department

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

If so