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representative has finally gained access to Burma; I can only express the hope that Her Majesty's Government, who are presumably as well placed as anyone to do so, will give him every support not only in the United Nations itself but on the ground with the Burmese authorities. The object of these approaches would be to persuade those governments to curtail, and gradually to eliminate, the production of opium in their territory and to offer practical and financial help in effecting the consequent re-settlement and re-employment of those engaged in it. I realise that, particularly in Burma where production is greatest and government control least effective, the difficulties will be enormous and the necessary financial assistance considerable. But it seems to me the only way in which we can hope to make progress.
10. My second main recommendation was that, despite the constitutional and political difficulties, Hong Kong should, because of our heavy involvement in these matters, always be represented at international meetings convened to discuss narcotic problems in this region; and that, as tangible evidence of our concern, Hong Kong officials should be appointed as a narcotics control officer with HM Embassy at Bangkok and as a liaison officer to the Thai- United States special narcotics operation.
11.
I recognise that the action I have proposed in the international field will be delicate, laborious and probably expensive. But something must be done, and be done soon, if we are to make real headway against this problem which is as serious for its social effects in the Colony as it is for the international reputation of its British administration.
12. I am sending a copy of this despatch to HM Ambassadors at Washington, Tokyo, Peking, Bangkok, Saigon, Rangoon, Vientiane and Phnom Penh, and to the Permanent United Kingdom Representative to the United Nations in New York and Geneva.
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I have, etc
MURRAY MACLEHOSE
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