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commitments to purchase crops is not easy and we will naturally do everything we can to help. Japan looks like being generally a good market for these crops and might, I suppose, be willing to help out, particularly in view of Thailand's chronic trade imbalance with that country. I wonder what the Thai Foreign Trade Department is doing on its own account with a view to disposing of the comparatively limited amount of produce from the Substitution Programme. What do you think: are there any prospects of stirring them up?
4.
We have been asked whether Hong Kong could produce a marketing officer and a cooperatives officer for the Thai crop substitution programme, plus someone to teach the hill tribesmen the art of terracing. with the last we have had no luck, but there is an experienced Government marketing and cooperatives officer who could be made available if the terms were right. Rolph has been corresponding about this with Gordon Williams, the U.N. Programme Director in Bangkok. We hope to see Williams in Hong Kong soon for a visit (Geneva telegram No. 14), when we can pursue these matters.
5.
What you say about the dangers of monopoly or pre-emptive buying is well taken here. But crop substitution is going to be a pretty slow business and there is little immediate chance of killing the traffic by seizures. Police and Customs reckon that if they get 10% of contraband they are doing well. All ve are saying is that in the circumstances it is prudent to look at the merits of monopoly or pre-emptive buying. In Turkey for example, the Americans are subsidising former opium farmers to the tune of some US$35 million a year while they develop new agricultural skills.
It may therefore have worked there. But we would certainly think of it as a last resort in Thailand where conditions may be different.
6.
Finally, and on a more personal note, I wonder if there is any chance of your coming here to see for yourself what we are doing in the anti-narcotics field. I think you would find it fascinating, and also might give you background which would be helpful in your difficult task of convincing the Thais that we mean business. I would of course be delighted to see you again. I suggest 3 nights, or a working days would be about right. With some diffidence I would add that the
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