SECRET
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(B) THAT THE PLANS HAVE NO LINKAGE WITH THE RESOLUTION OF THE
DEFENCE LANDS ISSUE. WE WANT TO SOLVE THAT ISSUE, HAVE PUT FORWARD NEW PROPOSALS ON IT IN GOOD FAITH AND ARE HOPING FOR PROGRESS AT THE SEPTEMBER ROUND OF EXPERT TALKS: AND
(C) THAT WE WOULD MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE REINFORCEMENT
ARRANGEMENTS.
4. THE GOVERNOR ALSO JUDGES THAT THE TIME IS RIPE TO PROPOSE TO THE CHINESE SIDE THAT CONTACTS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN BRITISH AND CHINESE MILITARY AUTHORITIES TO DISCUSS THE PRACTICAL DETAILS OF THE TRANSFER OF DEFENCE RESPONSIBILITIES. THE CHINESE WILL
WELCOME THIS AND IT MAY HELP TO ALLAY THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT A FASTER PACE OF WITHDRAWAL OF THE GARRISON. HE THINKS IT WOULD BE SENSIBLE FOR THIS PROPOSAL TO BE MADE SIMULTANEOUSLY IN LONDON AND BY UKREP JLG HERE IN HONG KONG. HE PROPOSES THAT MR GOODLAD MIGHT TAKE
IT UP WITH THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR OR CHARGE ON THE SAME DAY AS UKREP JLG BRIEFS THE CHINESE SIDE ON THE WITHDRAWAL PLAN. YOU MAY
WISH TO CONSULT MINISTERS ON THIS.
5. WE AGREE THAT THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE VIA A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD BY CBF. OUR VIEW IS THAT IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY TO BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE. HOWEVER, WE WOULD ISSUE A BRIEF TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND BE READY WITH DEFENSIVES ON, FOR EXAMPLE, POLICE CAPABILITIES AND THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS. WE WOULD WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE MATERIAL TO BE USED BY MOD/CBF IN MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT. IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR THIS
TO BE CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE SAY AND WHAT WE TELL THE CHINESE.
WE WILL NEED IN PARTICULAR TO CONSIDER WHETHER AND TO WHAT EXTENT WE REFER IN PUBLIC TO THE PRESSURE ON HMG FROM OTHER INTERNATIONAL
COMMITMENTS EG IN FRY.
6. WE PLAN TO CONSULT EXCO ON 22 JUNE ON THE TIMETABLE, AND WOULD ALSO LIKE TO CONSULT THEM ON THE PROPOSAL THAT MILITARY CONTACT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED. WE WOULD, THEREFORE, BE GRATEFUL IF YOU, MOD AND PEKING COULD LET US KNOW DESKBY 1809OOZ WHETHER YOU ARE CONTENT
WITH THE PROPOSALS ABOVE.
PATTEN
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