TNAG-2677-FCO40-3874-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 279

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the Costs of the Garrison.

Ministers have recently made the

following decisions:

-

That the UK based battalion should be withdrawn from

Hong Kong in June 1994:

That the two Gurkha battalions should amalgamate into

one in September 1994:

That adequate and credible reinforcement plans should be

made in case a need arose to assist the civil Government in

Hong Kong.

→ Elements of both the

ملا امنه

These decisions do not affect the Royal Air Force of Royal havy presence in Hong Kong although there will be corresponding

人

remar

savings in support costs. We believe that these decisions are consistent with the undertakings previously given to the Chinese government and with the responses made by Chinese

officials. These decisions do not effect the discussions we

presently having with the Chinese Government over the future of

the military estate in Hong Kong.

will

A

We are aware that there is not much time remaining until 1997.

We would therefore like to propose that military experts from the PRC should visit Hong Kong in the near future to discuss with

members of the garrison detailed arrangements for the Chinese

takeover of the military estate and garrison duties.

It has been decided that no announcement will be made about

these decisions until 19 Juba to allow planning and

consultations in Hong Kong to take place. We would be grateful

if the Chinese Government could therefore treat this information

as confidential until then.

timetable.sub/DEFENCE

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