TNAG-0397-FCO40-443-Problem-of-increase-in-crime-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 22

SS 14/5691/55 II

Your ref UN 52/1

KASTRY No.51

129101.713

Loxx141

Dear Andrew

CONFIDENTIAL 20

Colonial Secretariat, Lower Albert Road,

HONG KONG,

7th November 1973

Miss Kelly * Snapse

I am not sure whether you will have seen the

Me

13/11

two letters I sent to James, in the United Nations Department, some months ago about the visit to Hong Kong of Mr. Clifford from the UN Crime Secretariat. He came here to encourage Hong Kong to participate actively in the next United Nations Congress on the prevention of crime and the treatment of offenders which is due to be held in Toronto in September 1975; and we were all left feeling somewhat wary.

My first letter explained that we were

examining the position. The examination has not been altogether conclusive. It certainly does not appear that we ga ined very much from sending people to previous congresses, and there is the point (made earlier) that our policy is now generally not to attend meetings of subsidiary UN bodies when doubtful about the value of doing so, lest any other posture provoke China,

On the other hand, the congress will be dealing with matters which are of great concern to Hong Kong in view of the growth of crime here; so we might have difficulty in explaining away a decision to play no part at all in it, if the decision became public knowledge.

}

We are in all the circumstances inclined to

think that somebody should probably be sent, but not the number of officers who went in the recent past (four in 1965 and five in 1970); and that whoever went should be tucked away in the UK delegation, maintaining a low posture. There is probably no need for any decision to be taken for quite some time, though we do not seem to know how soon one will be necessary. But we shall in any case be grateful for any advice which you may be able to obtain to help guide us.

A, C. Stuart, Esq, CPM,

Hong Kong and Indian Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, LONDON S. W. 1.

Yours ever

Peter (G. P. Lloyd)

Secretaryfor Security

[conmi....

CONVADE

D27/11

Dassed in dilth UND

Plli

!