TNAG-0414-FCO40-460-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 112

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Nevertheless the greater the number of countries which express concern, the greater the impact and the greater the likelihood that narcotics control will assume a higher priority in the programmes of these Governments than perhaps is currently the case to the benefit of Hong Kong and the world community in general. In this connection no opportunity should be lost within the United Nations framework to take an initiative in the field of dangerous drugs in a Far Eastern context and to do everything possible to create a noise with a view to galvanising the maximum amount of interest and progressive action.

30.

Whereas the Americans possess leverage with the governments of Thailand and Laos and have been able as a result to bring pressure to bear to secure action in furtherance of reducing opium growth and promoting law enforcement to curb illicit trafficking, this is not so in Burma where American influence appears to be strictly limited. The United States would undoubtedly like to enter into a bilateral agreement for narcotics control with the Burmese Government similar to the one it has with Thailand, but it is doubtful whether at least for the time being this can be considered politically feasible. On the other hand the Americans seem to believe, perhaps unjustifiably, that the British Government is in better standing with the Burmese and possesses enough influence with them to make an initiative over narcotics meaningful and worth while. From conversations with American officials, both in Hong Kong and elsewhere, it is evident that the United States would welcome particularly such a British diplomatic initiative in Burma over narcotics control. The object of this initiative would be to attempt to persuade the Burmese authorities to accept United Nations assistance in controlling the illicit drug traffic within their borders. Ideally this should be accompanied by a programme for so equipping and training the Burmese army as to enable it to gain control of the areas where opium is produced; but any such programme would presumably be politically unacceptable to the Burmese. The role of Burma as an opium exporting country is so important that some constructive attempt must be made to persuade the Burmese, even as a long-term measure, to cut down opium growing and illicit trafficking. It is suggested therefore that the possibility of a British initiative with the Burmese Government should be carefully examined.

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To make diplomatic approaches as proposed above is something which should be done as part of a British initiative undertaken on behalf of Hong Kong aimed at destroying the root of the Colony's drug problem. However, simply to express concern is not likely to make much impression by itself unless accompanied by some positive and tangible expressions of that concern from Britain and Hong Kong. There are three ways in which this can be done. First of all it is suggested that the United Kingdom should double its contribution to the United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control from £50,000 to £100,000 and that this amount should become an annual contribution to the Fund. That contri- butions to the Fund should be made on a continuing basis is in conformity with a resolution adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union at its 60th Conference held in Rome in September 1972. It would be advantageous if at least half this sum could be tied specifically to United Nations projects in Thailand and Laos, and hopefully in Burma in due course, but it may not be permis- sible to attach strings to contributions in this manner; never- theless the possibility should be explored. Publicity should

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