TNAG-2677-FCO40-3874-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 294

SECRET

Issue + box ce.

DESKBY

с

alv

ZCZC

SECRET

FM FCO

TO DESKBY 18090OZ HONG KONG

TELNO

OF 171236Z JUNE 93

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

PERSONAL FOR PS/GH

HILD

れ

18/6

Mr Marn's

Mr Bake

Zon

YOUR TELNO 972: WITHDRAWAL OF THE GARRISON

1. WE HAVE CONSULTED MINISTERS WHO ARE CONTENT FOR THE PUBLIC

ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE DELAYED UNTIL THREE WEEKS AFTER THE CHINESE

HAVE BEEN INFORMED. MR GOODLAD IS PREPARED TO CALL IN THE

CHINESE CHARGE ON 28 JUNE IF OPD (K) AGREE TO THE PAPER. WE WILL

COPY A DRAFT SPEAKING NOTE TO YOU AND COPY ADDRESSEES IN DUE

COURSE.

2. MOD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CONSULT THEIR MINISTERS IN TIME FOR

THIS TELEGRAM. THEY WILL GIVE YOU THEIR VIEWS IN TIME FOR THE

EXCO MEETING. AT OFFICIAL LEVEL THEY ACCEPT THAT THERE WILL NEED

TO BE A THREE WEEK DELAY BEFORE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT AND ARE

BROADLY CONTENT WITH THE PROPOSED LINE TO TAKE SAVE FOR ONE MINOR

NUANCE. THEY ARGUE THAT IF WE WERE TO STRESS THE POINT IN PARA 3

A) OF TUR OF THE ENORMOUS PRESSURES ON BRITISH FORCES ELSEWHERE,

IT WOULD DIMINISH THE IMPRESSION THAT THE DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN

HKD

Or 16 1855

AS

R.A.J.BUNTEN

270 2655