TNAG-2677-FCO40-3874-Hong-Kong-garrison-withdrawal-plan-1993 — Page 89

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SECRET

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FROM:

J C Morris

Hong Kong Department

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DATE:

استقلال

15 October 1993

70

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CC:

Sir J Coles

Sir T Daunt

18/10

Mr Lever

Mr Callway, NPDD

Mr Gomersall, SecPol Dept Mr Smith, South Asian Dept

Mr Hum

PS/Mr Goodlad

Private Secretary

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MKA 063/1

HONG KONG; THE GARRISON

Problem

A letter from the Secretary of State for Defence to the-

Prime Minister proposing to delay until early next year the decision on the timing of the withdrawal of the last Gurkha battalion in Hong Kong.

Recommendation

2. I recommend that we should not enter into this debate

unless the Chancellor comes back urging an earlier decision.

Background

3.

OPD (K) members agreed by correspondence in June that the withdrawal of the Hong Kong Garrison should be accelerated in

order to ease the Governor's task in ensuring that LegCo

agreed to pay Hong Kong's share of the cost. It was proposed

that the British battalion should return to the UK in around

June 1994. The new proposal retained the original idea that the two Gurkha battalions would amalgamate in September 1994

and the final Gurkha battalion would be disbanded in September

1996 when the British battalion returned to Hong Kong. The Chancellor however pointed out that it ought to be cheaper for

sub.garrison.MORRIS

JEB

SECRET