*
CODE 18-77
Mr Bunten
Hong Kong Dept
pa. R& R
Reference.
Nov 15/10
37411
333
EXTENSION OF THE 1988 UN DRUGS CONVENTION TO HONG KONG
1.
The
We discussed Ms Wyver's minute of 8 October to Mr Moore. I do not think that para 3 of the draft speaking note (HK telno 1576) needs further elaboration. I should not have thought it necessary at this stage to explain to the Chinese the state of Hong Kong's legislation and the further legislation required to implement the Convention. speaking note handed to the Chinese on the 1971 Drugs Convention was written in very general terms and I see no reason why we should not approach the 1988 Convention in the same way. If the Chinese raise any questions about the note or implementing legislation Hong Kong can address these points in the normal way.
2.
Your Legal Adviser asked about the maritime provisions (Article 17). Several of the countries which have already ratified the Convention are in fact landlocked states to whom Article 17 could not apply. I take it therefore that the Article will only apply to a party which is a flag state. Although Hong Kong has its own shipping registry I presume that as a DT Britain is the flag state and it would be for us to take the necessary action rather than Hong Kong.
3. I attach the telegram which I had intended to send to Hong Kong last week but which we were unable to retrieve to await your Legal Adviser's comments. We should reply soon and I would be happy to incorporate any additional comments you may have.
4. It is our intention to extend the 1988 Convention to the five Caribbean DTs by the end of this year. We are very pleased however that Hong Kong are keen to have the Convention extended to them and that we shall be handing the territory over to China with all its drugs legislation in place. Clearly, as an important financial centre, Hong Kong is very vulnerable to organised crime and drug trafficking.
D. Smorcell.
DR Snoxell
Drugs and International Crime Department
K362
270 2436
14 October 1993
cc: Ms Fisher, AMD