WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1978
DUTCH MINISTER IN HONG KONG FOR ANTI-DRUG TALKS
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THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE OF THE NETHERLANDS, PROFESSOR JACOB DE RUITER, ARRIVED IN HONG KONG THIS EVENING FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT ON THE FIRST LEG OF A NARCOTICS FACT-FINDING TOUR OF SOUTHEAST ASIA..
THE PURPOSE OF THE TOUR IS TO ENABLE THE MINISTER TO KEEP HIMSELF INFORMED OF THE CURRENT NARCOTICS SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, AND THE MEASURES BEING TAKEN BY COUNTRIES IN THE REGION TO DEAL WITH DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE.
DURING HIS VISIT HERE, THE MINISTER WILL MEET THE GOVERNOR SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, AND HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANTI-NARCOTICS POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES IN HONG KONG.
THE MINISTER WILL BE BRIEFED ON HONG KONG'S NARCOTICS PROBLEMS AND OUR METHODS OF DEALING WITH THEM BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, AND SENIOR POLICE, CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION OFFICERS.
HE WILL ALSO VISIT THE MUSEUM OF THE POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAU, HEI LING CHAU ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT AND THE SHEK KWU CHAU REHABILITATION CENTRE OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ADDICTS.
HE IS ACCOMPANIED ON HIS VISIT BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY- GENERAL OF JUSTICE MINISTRY, MR. L. ORANJE, AND THE HEAD OF THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT OF THE SAME MINISTRY, MR. J. VAN STRATEN.
PROFESSOR DE RUITER IS THE SECOND DUTCH MINISTER OF - JUSTICE TO HAVE VISITED HONG KONG FOR ANTI-DRUG DISCUSSIONS. HIS PREDECESSOR, MR. A.A.M. VAN AGT, WHO IS NOW PRIME MINISTER OF THE NETHERLANDS, CAME TO HONG KONG IN JANUARY 1977 ON A SIMILAR MISSION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SAID PROFESSOR DE RUITER'S TOUR OF SOUTHEAST ASIA OFFERED ANOTHER VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER STRENTHEN THE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NETHERLANDS AND THOSE IN THIS REGION IN TACKLING THE IR PROBLEMS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE.
PROFESSOR DE RUITER WILL LEAVE HONG KONG FOR SINGAPORE ON SATURDAY (MAY 6) TO CONTINUE HIS TOUR WHICH ALSO INCLUDES KUALA LUMPUR AND BANGKOK.
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