ANNEX 2 TO MINUTE 1
DRAFT AMENDMENT TO J.P.(57)165(REVISED FINAL)
After paragraph 5 insert new paragraph 6 as follows:-
116.
There are, however, certain dangers involved in taking the United States fully into our confidence, if the talks should subsequently break down or fail to lead to a United States commitment. These dangers are two-fold:-
(a)
(b)
The ability to retain Hong Kong, free from the likelihood of overt attack, depends almost exclusively upon the extent to which the Chinese appreciate that such an attack would be resisted by the U.K. garrison and would bring immediate American retaliation. If the fact that we had failed to secure a U.S. commitment were to leak out to the Chinese the risk of overt aggression would consequently increase.
Detailed discussion on the limitations of our forces in defence against open aggression might lead to consideration of evacuation plans, which, if known in Hong Kong, would cause loss of confidence in our determination to maintain our position in the Colony.
We consider the second of these dangers to be the more probable and the more serious. Nevertheless, we be- lieve that the chance of obtaining a .S. commitment justifies the acceptance of the risks involved in failing to secure one."
Renumber subsequent paragraphs.
- 7 -
Page 91
Page 91
TOP SECRET
50 3
Page 92 Page 92 of 172
NOTE:-
TOP SECRET
J.P.(57) 165 (REVISED FINAL)
Now that this paper has been Revised, all Preliminary Drafts, Drafts and Finals should be retárned to the Secretary, Joint Planning Staff (Room 5)
3rd Floor, Ministry of Defence, S.W.1.
13th Febraury, 1958
TOP SECRET
#504.18
Page 92 Page 92 of 172
(6720) Wit,49810/D.1188 60m 8/56 P.I. Gp. 1144.
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT Page 93 of 172
The circulation of this paper has been strictly limited.
It is issued for the personal use of...........
TOP SECRET
MAJESTY Page 93 of 172
40
40
Copy No...
CIRCULATED FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE CHIEFS OF STAFF
JP(57)155(Revised
JP(57) 165(Revised Final)
13th February, 1958
GUARD SPECIALLY RESTRICTED CIRCULATION
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE
JOINT PLANNING STAFF
MEASURES TO MEET THE THREAT TO HONG KONG FROM
COMMUNIST CHINA
T
POLITICAL ASSUMPTIONS AND PLANNING PROCEDURE
Report by the Joint Planning Staff
At their meeting on 6th February, 1958%, the Chiefs of
Staff instructed the Joint Flanning Staff to amend the memo- randum on military measures to meet the threat to Hong Kong from Communist China in the light of the Committee's dis- cussion, and taking into account the views of the Foreign Office and the Colonial Office. This memorandum deals pri- marily with the political assumptions and planning procedure and the title of the paper has been amended accordingly. have consulted the Foreign Office and the Colonial Office.
2. The revised memorandum is at Annex.
We
(Signed) R.M. SMEETON
R.M.P. CARVER J.G. DAVIS
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE S.W.1.
(60) 82/454/01
( )
% Cos (58) 12th Mtg.,Min.1.
£ COS 113/23/1/58
X COS(58)12th Mtg. Annex to Min.1.
TOP SECRET
(너)
TOP SECRET
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.