SECRET
*k) 046
1.046/12
From:
Date:
R'A Burns
1 November 1991
the Ricketts
This was the missión
which no stone mentioned.
Mr
cok,
cs cd not see
HKD
Mr Stone, HKD
Stone
but no stone left the apics for him.
MR ALISTAIR MUNRO
1.
No. 19/ki
In Stone
to keep tabs a M's response, Ga
We spoke earlier this week about a call on me by Mr Alistair Munro, Director of the Northern Ireland Office's Anti-Racketeering Unit. He is planning to visit Hong Kong
(and Australia) in February 1992, in an effort to learn more about the practical ways in which people there counter (or would like to counter) the activities of crooks and criminals involved in racketeering, white-collar crime, fraud, money laundering, etc, etc.
2.
Mr Munro would welcome some advice on who to see. I have told him that he should expect to make his number initially with the Chief Secretary, Sir David Ford, who will probably direct him to the Secretary of Security,
Mr Alistair Asprey. I recognised, however, that Mr Munro was not interested in seeing civil servants with a general view of the problem. He wanted to talk to the people at the coal-face, so as to pick up practical, new ideas on how to spike the guns of criminals. He has given me a note of some of the people he thinks he should see. He wants to come back to see us (if I am away, perhaps Mr Stone could talk to him) about the detail of his trip. He does not want us at the moment to set up any appointments. He will let us have a background note of his activities, so that we are clear about what he has in mind. Nonetheless, I should be grateful if you and Mr Stone would begin to think about who precisely Mr Munro should meet in a week's visit to Hong Kong.
3.
Mr Munro professes not to be concerned about his own personal security, only about the integrity of his operation. Nonetheless, there must be a real risk to him personally, wherever he goes. In coming up with ideas for people to see, Mr Stone should exercise extreme caution about discussing the background. I suggest that Mr Stone takes a copy of this (done minute with him to Hong Kong next week, and sends it to
Sir David Ford with my personal compliments. I hope that Sir D Ford might find a moment to have a word with Mr Stone about how best to take matters forward for Mr Munro.
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A34AAJ
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Andar. Buna
R A Burns
153