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consistently taken since 1949. So I think we can leave China out of this, except of course to the extent of engaging her moral assistance in international bodies engaged in narcotics control.
8.
we
In forwarding to the Department the two long papers prepared by the Commissioner for Narcotics referred to in paragraph 1, I have recently made detailed proposals for action in the international field. I do not propose to rehearse them all here. For constitutional and political reasons Hong Kong can itself do little in this international sphere: shall be almost entirely dependent, for the elimination of our domestic drugs problem and the reduction of our involvement in the international drugs traffic, on international action fostered, I hope, by Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.
9.
Perhaps I may call your particular attention to two of my principal recommendations. First, that further approaches should be made to the three regional governments chiefly concerned. The Americans are perhaps best placed to pursue action in Thailand where they are already closely in touch with the Thai authorities over the drugs traffic; and possibly they, or the French, would also be in the best position to lean on the Laotians once a cease-fire has been achieved. I understand that a United Nations 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
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