TNAG-0415-FCO40-461-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 129

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compelling reasons to do so. Any such contribution would

probably be better utilised by UNDP. The Thai programme was already adequately funded, while the Burma operation had not yet got off the ground. Mr Wenban-Smith remarked that we could not in any case earmark our contribution to any particular

country. The Executive Director of the UN Fund acted indepen-

dently.

5. Mr Stuart then went on to discuss the Hong Kong recommen- dation of possible international action to be taken on the high seas against Thai fishing trawlers. He said he was not aware of

any previous international discussions on this topic and wondered whether it would be possible to surmount the legal difficulties. Mr Wenban-Smith thought the only solution might be for the UN Security Council to authorise such action. He went on to suggest that perhaps the ad hoc committee, when formed, could make the first approach to the UN, but as a first step it should be established whose responsibility this subject was in the FCO. Mr Train said that if it was decided that action on the high seas to stop and search vessels for drugs was thought to have some chance of support from the UN perhaps the Hong Kong Government should approach the ad hoc committee. He thought, however, that there would be many international objections to such action.

6. Mr Stuart then asked if anyone had any views on the advisability of an approach to the US, firstly in regard to the question of liaison officers from Hong Kong being attached to the Thai/US SNO programme, and secondly on US "relations" with the Kuomintang. Mr Michael said he believed that 80% of the

opium from Burma passed through Kuomintang hands. Mr Stuart remarked that there might be a possibility of a change in the US attitude to the Kuomintang resulting from the recent rapprochment with China and the resulting change in their relations with Taiwan. Did the Home Office have any views? Mr Train, in reply, mentioned the criticism recently voiced by the US about lack of co-operation by Hong Kong officials and that it might be more useful to explore areas of general co-operation between Hong Kong and the US, for instance on the

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