TNAG-2677-FCO40-3874-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 268

SECRET 1⁄2 **

3

(d)

so will be severely tested in the cun up to

1997. MOD recognise that the process of

garrison withdrawal has the potential to

exacerbate any sense of insecurity in Hong

Kong in the run up to 1997: the withdrawal

plan must therefore be flexible enough to

avoid periods of special sensitivity.

Political context: the plan recognises the

undernoted political factors -

(ミ)

#

(ii)

the importance of HMG's responsibility

under the Joint Declaration for Hong

Kong's administration up to 1997;

the SARG's responsibility for the

maintenance of public order in Hong

Kong after 1997;

(iii) MG's wish to maintain a garrison

presence at a level above that of a

purely 'token force' in Hong Kong up to

1997, while recognising that the use of

such forces in Hong Kong will become

increasingly difficult and undesirable.

G.F. 316

SECRET &

高度機密