them to do any more than establish # hoc Committee to examine possibilities of co-operation. The Latin Americans made it clear that they wished to handle their own affairs. In the debates upon the various resolutions relating to the establishment of a sub-commission in the Near and Middle East, to the establishment of an ad hoc Committee for the Far East and to the existing regional body in Latin America, the Commission predictably was cautious about the implications for its own functions both financially and organisationally of the establishment of these bodies, and the United Kingdom delegation, in supporting the various Resolutions, reserved its right to question the financial consequences more closely in ECOSOC.
SUB COMMISSION FOR NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST
12
Ambassador Kirca (Turkey) steered through the resolution establishing a sub- commission for the Near and Middle East with great skill, satisfying the doubts of all members (except the Communist Bloc) on the desirability of such a sub-commission. The force of his argumento was somewhat weakened by the fact that Afghanistan (a potential member of the sub-commission) reserved its position on joining, but Ambassador Kirca assured me privately that it was unlikely that Afghanistan would not join in due course,
AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR THE FAR EAST
13 As regards the ad hoc Committee for the Far East, the United Kingdom delegation obtained instructions to support the establishment of such a committee (without prejudice to the establishment later of a sub-commission), having regard in particular to the importance of regional co-operation in this area against illicit trafficking in so far as it affected Hong Kong. Because of our om concern with the so-called "chinese" heroin which comes to the United Kingdom: from ilong Kong, the United Kingdom delegation considered it a matter of domestic importance that the possibility of improved regional co-operation should be fully explored. When the ad hoc Committee for the Near and Middle East had been established, it had been agreed that it would be desirable for the regional members of the Commission to be joined by a member from nother part of the world to hold the ring (Sweden was the fifth member). The United Kingdom delegation thought that the United Kingdom could usefully play this role in the ad hoc Committee for the Far East, because, apart from any other advantages, it would enable us to keep an eye upon our Hong Kong interests. The United Kingdom therefore lobbied successfully for this nomination. It was a matter of some delicacy because of the presence of the representatives of the Chinese People's Republio at the Commission, but the nomination of the United Kingdom to the Committee and the United Kingdom's acceptance passed without public incident. The actual discussion about the establishment of the ad hoc Committee turned upon the acceptance by the participating countries that the establishment of the Committee did not prejudice the issue of whether there should be a sub-commission for the region. It was only upon this condition that the Indians agreed to participate. The purpose of the ad hoc Committee is clearly confined to examining possible ways of fostering regional co-operation against illicit traffic. The Committee held a preliminary meeting on the last day, at which Australia was elected as chairman and at which the United Kingdon delegate was able to indicate his gratitude to other members for inviting the United Kingdom to join and at which he was cordially welcomed by them.
PREPARATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF 1971 CONVENTION
14 The Commission gave some attention to the preparations for the coming into force of the 1971 Convention, with particular reference to the revision of the forms of reporting and various other forms. It was agreed in principle that the whole prospectus of reports, both in respect of the Single Convention and of the 1971 Convention, should be examined together; and upon the basis of notes of guidance prepared by the United States the Secretariat was invited to consider the matter afresh, if necessary in consultation informally with member governments.
CONFIDENTIAL
Revised
1
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.