TNAG-0414-FCO40-460-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 61

Reg.

pl ents

a returé quickly. Meth. SEGRET

Jackly. neck. In Hemerts JU?

Imidad?

ECLIPSE

BRITISH EMBASSY

RANGOON

$72

FA

1971

UST

REE.

19/1

REXT

14

003929 (21972)

'√(1971)

CW Squire Esч MVO

South East Asia Department

FCO

LONDON SW 1

Dear Bill,

NARCOTICS

1 FEBRUARY 1973

148

RECEIVED R

REGIST YN5. 14

-0.

FAB19/11

1. Murray MacLehose has sent me a copy of his letter L/M 4/73 of 22 January to Duncan Watson, with its two enclosures, about the narcotics problem in Hong Kong. We would naturally be glad to see Rolph here and discuss the problem with him if this is likely to help and have telegraphed to Hong Kong accordingly.

-

2. The second paper enclosed with Murray's letter gvies a pretty sound account of the

situation as far as Burma is concerned, which has of course formed the subject of much

correspondence and is well known to the Department. I would only add that the prospects of Burma accepting UN assistance are perhaps more hopeful than suggested in paragraph 15: see Howard Rigney's letter 1971 of 25 January to Hennessey.

3.

When we come to paragraphs 29 and 30 about what should be done about it, the paper is understandably on less sure ground. It is a persistent American illusion (outside Burma) · that we have some influence over the Burmese, denied to themselves, which would enable us to persuade them to take some action on narcotics which they would otherwise not do. This of course came up with Nelson Gross: see FCO telegram telegram 279 of 1 October, 1971, our telegram no. 258 of 5 October and subsequent correspond- ence. As you know we have no leverage. We are no doubt fully entitled to express concern to the Burmese about the situation in Hong Kong and the contribution to it of opium grown in Burma.

SECRET

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