TNAG-0414-FCO40-460-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 201

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(4) Under present circumstances, however, the elimination of opium and heroin production in the Golden Triangle is not possible. Even if the efforts of Laos and Thailand to control the production of and trafficking in opium and its derivatives, morphine and heroin, are completely successful, which is unlikely, the problem cannot possibly be solved as long as the Government of Burma fails to declare war on producers and traffickers in Burma.

(5) The Burmese Government blames the United States for a large part of the illicit arms trafficking in Southeast Asia, claim- ing that much of the weaponry in the possession of the insurgents is of U.S. origin. This situation has had a negative effect upon U.S. efforts to gain Burmese cooperation in the narcotics suppression programs.

(6) Suppression efforts have been temporarily successful in northern Thailand. While there is no assurance that this situation will continue there are indications that alternate smuggling routes are being developed westward through Burma, Bangladesh, and in other directions.

(7) While efforts have been made by the Thai Government to resettle Chinese Irregular Forces who have been traditionally involved in the opium trade, there is no assurance that they will not continue to engage in the production of and trafficking in opiates.

(8) It is widely believed that the production of and trafficking in opium and its derivatives have had the support of high ranking government officials in Laos, especially Gen. Ouan Rathikoun, former Chief of the Imperial General Staff and presently serving in the National Assembly as a delegate from Luang Prabang. The extent of Ouan's involvement may never be known.

(9) Despite the stringent antidrug law recently passed by South Vietnam, individuals involved in narcotics traffic risk mini- mal punishment.

(10) Given the current situation, there is a limit to the amount of financial and material assistance that the countries of South- east Asia can usefully absorb. U.S. narcotics assistance programs should, therefore, be based upon a realistic assessment of what can be effectively utilized.

(11) Acetic anhydride is an essential element in the production of heroin. The bulk of this chemical used in Southeast Asia heroin laboratories is processed in Japan. There are no government re- strictions, controls, or monitoring of its export.

(12) Efforts to fight the illicit production of and trafficking in narcotics in Southeast Asia will require regional programs, re- gional cooperation, and a complete and frank exchange of intel- ligence on producers, financiers, traffickers, routes, and users. Intergovernmental cooperation in the Southeast Asia region, which has been slow in developing, must be vigorously pushed by the United States.