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ARE DUE TO THE OVERLOAD ON INVESTIGATING MAGISTRATES AT THE CANTONAL
LEVEL (PARTICULARLY IN GENEVA). HERE WE CANNOT CLAIM PRIORITY TREATMENT, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT SIGNATORIES OF THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION.
OTHERS ARISE FROM FAILURE OF CERTAIN PROSECUTING OR INVESTIGATING AUTHORITIES IN THE UK TO ADHERE CLOSELY TO STANDARD SWISS PROCEDURES.
THE LATTER PROBLEM HAS ALSO AFFECTED SOME LEGAL ASSISTANCE
APPLICATIONS FROM HONG KONG.
5. THE PROPOSED EXCHANGE OF LETTERS ON THE CONFISCATION OF ASSETS
ASSOCIATED WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING HAS UNFORTUNATELY BEEN HELD UP IN
THE COMPLEX SWISS BUREAUCRACY. THE EARLIEST REALISTIC ESTIMATE AT
DESK LEVEL IN FRAU KOPP'S DEPARTMENT FOR THE EXCHANGE IS NOW JANUARY
1989. THE SWISS WOULD BE HAPPY FOR SIGNATURE TO TAKE PLACE IN LONDON.
BUT SWISS OFFICIALS HOPE SHORTLY TO HAVE FRAU KOPP'S AGREEMENT TO MR
HURD TELLING JOURNALISTS AT THE END OF HIS VISIT OF THEIR RENEWED
COMMITMENT TO COOPERATION IN THIS AREA AND THE DESIRABILITY OF EXCHANGING LETTERS SOON.
6. AS SEEN FROM HERE UK OBJECTIVES FROM THE VISIT INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING:
(A) TO CONFIRM THE UK AS A NATURAL PARTNER WITH WHOM THE SWISS WILL
READILY CONSULT ON A WIDE RANGE OF SENSITIVE ISSUES.
(B) TO DEEPEN ANGLO-SWISS COOPERATION ON THE FIGHT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL ASPECTS.
(C) TO REASSURE THE SWISS THAT WE ARE DOING ALL WE CAN TO IMPROVE
MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROCEDURES (BETTER PRESENTED REQUESTS: OUR
INTENTION TO SIGN THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION). IN RETURN TO PRESS FOR
SPEEDY PROCESSING ON THE SWISS SIDE.
(D) TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON REFUGEE QUESTIONS AND TO URGE FURTHER SWISS
CONSIDERATION FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG.
(E) TO INSTILL URGENCY INTO THE PREPARATION OF THE EXCHANGE OF
LETTERS ON DRUG TRAFFICKING.
7. MRS KOPP'S MAIN OBJECTIVES ARE LIKELY TO BE:
(A) TO EMPHASISE SWISS WILLINGNESS TO COOPERATE IN COMBATTING INTERNATIONAL CRIME (DRUGS, TERRORISM, MONEY-LAUNDERING).
(B) TO SEEK CLOSER BUT STILL INFORMAL CONTACTS WITH EC INSTITUTIONS
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