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Mr. Wilford
Kford
Mr
CONFIDENTIAL
79
HONG KONG: NARCOTICS
1. Mr Baas of the US Embassy called on me on 17 May.
Mr Wenban-Smith of UN Department and Mr Gregory-Hood of SEAD
were also present. The purpose of the visit was to propose an
informal meeting in Hong Kong on the narcotics problem between
the Director of the US Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
and representatives of HMG and the Hong Kong Government. The
dates proposed were 4 to 6 June. Since time was short I sent
the attached telegram, which gives further details, to the
Governor.
2. Mr Baas had had an earlier discussion with Mr Stuart. I
was not present but I understand that Mr Stuart expressed
reservations about the danger of crossing wires with the
proposed United Nations Ad Hoc Committee which is to study
ways of developing cooperation against drug trafficking in the
Far East. Mr Baas evidently reported Mr Stuart's comments to
Washington, and the present proposal is designed to avoid this
difficulty and also to avoid ruffling any Chinese sensitivities.
Subject to the Governor's views I think we should now support
the idea, and so do United Nations Department, South East Asian
Department and the Home Office.
CONFIDENTIAL
13.