(LA)
CYPHER CAT A
FM VIENTIANE 130750Z
SECRET
SECRET
18
A600
TO ROUTINE HONG KONG (PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR) TELNO 2 OF 12 FEB 1973
INFO ROUTINE FCO.
SAVING BANGKOK AND RANGOON,
YOUR LETTER HR 22 JANUARY TO WATSON: DANGEROUS DRUGS,
1. WHILE I SHOULD CERTAINLY WELCOME A VISIT BY ROLPH, I AM
DOUBTFUL WHETHER THIS IS THE RIGHT MOMENT FOR IT. THE LAO
AUTHORITIES WILL BE PRE-OCCUPIED WITH A CEASE-FIRE AND
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND ARE UNLIKELY TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS
CONSTRUCTIVELY ON THE NARCOTICS QUESTION. ALSO THE NATURE
OF THE PROBLEM AND THE SCOPE FOR ITS CONTROL COULD WELL BE
AFFECTED BY THE SORT OF ADMINISTRATION EMERGING AFTER A
PEACE SETTLEMENT. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES I THINK IT WOULD BE
BETTER TO POSTPONE A VISIT UNTIL THE SITUATION IS MORE
CLEAR WHICH MAY BE SEVERAL MONTHS.
2. LETTER FOLLOWS.
LLOYD
FILES
HKIOD
SEAD
FED
MIR WILFORD
SECRET