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that under Article 43 of the 1961 Single Narcotics Convention a similar notification can be made. Again, it would be helpful to know if any such notification under the 1961 Convention has been made by the UK in respect of its territory and whether the UK plans to make such notification in respect of Hong Kong. We are of the view that it would be extremely valuable to Hong Kong both for present law enforcement purposes and for future autonomy in relation to China, to be declared a separate region for purposes of both the 1961 and the 1971 Convention. We therefore wish Hong Kong to be declared a separate region accordingly and would appreciate it if UK could actively consider such possibility.
We will need to have these points clarified before making a decision on the application of the 1971 Convention to Hong Kong. If the decision is to have the Convention applied, we will have to consult the Chinese through diplomatic channels in line with established guidelines.
It was good to meet you in Vienna recently and to discuss this and other matters. My successor in the post of Commissioner for Narcotics will be Garry Mulloy. He is due to assume duty on 27 April 1987.
Encl.
GLM/j1
(G.L. Mortimer)
Commissioner for Narcotics