CONFIDENTIAL
157046
MDHIAN 8287
THERE ARE FREQUENT CONTACTS AND VISITS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND US LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, TRAINING AND GENERAL PURPOSES WHICH ENSURE THAT PERSONNEL FAMILIARIZE THEM-
SELVES WITH THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS FACED BY THEIR COUNTERPARTS, AND CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVED LIAISON BY PERSONAL CONTACT.
FUTURE COOPERATION
HONG KONG HAS BEEN FULLY COOPERATIVE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN WORKING TO ERADICATE THE ILLICIT DRUG TRADE, AND ENJOYS A PARTICULARLY FRUITFUL AND COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH US DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THIS POLICY WILL CONTINUE AND COOPERATION ON
ALL ASPECTS OF DRUG CONTROL WILL BE MAINTAINED TO ENSURE ITS
CONTINUED EFFECTIVENESS AND SUCCESS. HONG KONG IS PREPARING LEGISLATION WHICH WILL STRENGTHEN ITS ABILITY TO COMBAT THE DRUG PROBLEM AND PERMIT WIDER COOPERATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT. PREPARATION OF THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) BILL, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE CONFISCATION OF DRUG ASSETS AND MEASURES TO COUNTER DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING IS AT THE FINAL STAGES. THE LEGISLATION WILL ALSO PROVIDE FOR ASSISTANCE TO BE GIVEN IN RESPECT
OF EXTERNAL CONFISCATION ORDERS. THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATURE SHORTLY. HONG KONG IS ALSO ACTIVELY
PURSUING THE PROPOSAL OF HAVING MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE LEGISLATION
WHICH WILL PROVIDE FOR A MUCH WIDER RANGE OF MUTUAL ASSISTANCE WITH
OTHER GOVERNMENTS.
ALL THESE MEASURES ARE A REFLECTION OF HONG KONG'S CLEAR POLICY
TO MAINTAIN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE US AND INDICATE AN EFFECTIVE
ADMINISTRATION DEVOTED TO THE ANTI-DRUG EFFORT.'
ENDS
3.
GRATEFUL FOR CONFIRMATION
1
THAT ALL IS IN ORDER SO WE MAY PROCEED
TO HAND OVER STATEMENT TO THE US CONSUL-GENERAL EARLY NEXT WEEK.
WILSON
YYYY
PAGE
3
CONFIDENTIAL