CYPHER/CAT A
GPS 220
FM HONG KONG 078338Z
RESTRICTED"
63
TOP CUL
RESTRICTED
DKK
1973
19/31
TO ROUTINE FCO TELNO 496 OF 7 MAY/INFO RANGOON BANGKOK VIENTIANE.
WE ARE MUCH HEARTENED HERE BY PRESS REPORTS THAT THE BURMESE ARMY HAS RECENTLY BEEN ATTCKING TACHILEK ON THE BURMA/THAILAND FRONTIER, FOR LONG A NOTORIOUS CENTRE OF MASSIVE OPIATE SMUGGLING
AND HEROIN REFINING OPERATIONS: AND THAT IN THE PROCESS THE
REFINERIES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY FIRE AND THE KHA KWE YET FORCES
OF THE TRAFFICKER LO SING HAN GIVEN A SEVERE MAULING.
2.
IF THE REPORTS ARE CONFIRMED, THESE OPERATIONS BY THE BURMESE
ARMY REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN THE INTERNATIONAL FIGHT -
AGAINST THE ILLICIT TRADE IN DANGEROUS DRUGS, AND ONE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG. IN THIS CASE, AND PROVIDED H.M. AMBASSADOR SEE NO OBJECTION, I SUGGEST IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE IF THE CONGRATULATIONS EITHER OF H.M.G. OR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, COULD BE CONVEYED TO THOSE CONCERNED IN VIEW OF ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE CONTROL OF THIS TRAFFIC WHICH IS SO DAMAGING TO THE PEOPLE OF NONG KONG AND POSES SUCH A BAFFLING PROBLEM FOR THIS
GOVERNMENT.
FCO PLEASE PASS COPY TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON
MACLEHOSE
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
FILES
HKIOD
SEAD
N AM D
UND NEWS D
COPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON
RESTRICTED