TNAG-0414-FCO40-460-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 54

(LA)

CYPHER CAT A

FM VIENTIANE 130750Z

SECRET

SECRET

18

A600

TO ROUTINE HONG KONG (PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR) TELNO 2 OF 12 FEB 1973

INFO ROUTINE FCO.

SAVING BANGKOK AND RANGOON,

YOUR LETTER HR 22 JANUARY TO WATSON: DANGEROUS DRUGS,

1. WHILE I SHOULD CERTAINLY WELCOME A VISIT BY ROLPH, I AM

DOUBTFUL WHETHER THIS IS THE RIGHT MOMENT FOR IT. THE LAO

AUTHORITIES WILL BE PRE-OCCUPIED WITH A CEASE-FIRE AND

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND ARE UNLIKELY TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS

CONSTRUCTIVELY ON THE NARCOTICS QUESTION. ALSO THE NATURE

OF THE PROBLEM AND THE SCOPE FOR ITS CONTROL COULD WELL BE

AFFECTED BY THE SORT OF ADMINISTRATION EMERGING AFTER A

PEACE SETTLEMENT. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES I THINK IT WOULD BE

BETTER TO POSTPONE A VISIT UNTIL THE SITUATION IS MORE

CLEAR WHICH MAY BE SEVERAL MONTHS.

2. LETTER FOLLOWS.

LLOYD

FILES

HKIOD

SEAD

FED

MIR WILFORD

SECRET