TNAG-0414-FCO40-460-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 4

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Reference. FAB 19/1

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Mr Wotton (HKIOD)

CC:

Mr Hand (UND)

HICK 19/2

HONG KONG: NARCOTICS TRADE

In your minute of 13 March you asked for SEAD's comments on the recommendations for action by HMG in Mr Rolph's second paper. I hope you will find the following comments useful. We have written them on a country basis.

A Thailand

Mr Rolph has made 6 recommendations which affect HM Embassy at Bangkok

para 49(c), (f) to (i).

Sir A de la Mare has made his views known in his let- ter of 13 February to Sir D Watson. We would largely support these views but our detailed comments are as follows:-

(i) we have no evidence to refute the view expressed in para 5(c) of Sir A de la Mare's letter that since the US is heavily involved in the anti-narcotics drive in Thailand any extra push that the UK can provide, eg by an approach to the Thais, might be counter-productive and of little use. However, we realise that in view of the arguments put over by Mr Rolph in favour of something being done to help Hong Kong's drug problem. Sir A de la Mare may have to be seen to be active in lobbying the Thais on this issue.

(ii) we entirely agree with points (f) and (g) of Sir A de la Mare's letter. One British narcotics officer attached to either the Embassy or to the Americans is unlikely to be able to help very much, but again we might want to be seen to be doing something. Of the two sug- gestions, I think that a Hong Kong Narcotics Officer attached to our Embassy at Bangkok might be more useful.

(iii) we would also support Sir A de la Mare in his view that if it is decided to commission an examination in depth of the whole question of using Thai fishing trawlers to carry drugs near to Hong Kong then Thai agreement must be sought early on.

(iv) we feel that the Thais, who disbanded their own royal monopoly when they began to surpress opium on the instructions of the US and others, might feel somewhat aggrieved to do an about turn. In any case, they would probably lose a great deal of face.

But we, like

HM Ambassador, have no objections to preliminary discussions with the Americans about this.

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