TNAG-0415-FCO40-461-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 13

CYPHER/CAT A

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FM HONG KONG 078338Z

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63

TOP CUL

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DKK

1973

19/31

TO ROUTINE FCO TELNO 496 OF 7 MAY/INFO RANGOON BANGKOK VIENTIANE.

WE ARE MUCH HEARTENED HERE BY PRESS REPORTS THAT THE BURMESE ARMY HAS RECENTLY BEEN ATTCKING TACHILEK ON THE BURMA/THAILAND FRONTIER, FOR LONG A NOTORIOUS CENTRE OF MASSIVE OPIATE SMUGGLING

AND HEROIN REFINING OPERATIONS: AND THAT IN THE PROCESS THE

REFINERIES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY FIRE AND THE KHA KWE YET FORCES

OF THE TRAFFICKER LO SING HAN GIVEN A SEVERE MAULING.

2.

IF THE REPORTS ARE CONFIRMED, THESE OPERATIONS BY THE BURMESE

ARMY REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN THE INTERNATIONAL FIGHT -

AGAINST THE ILLICIT TRADE IN DANGEROUS DRUGS, AND ONE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG. IN THIS CASE, AND PROVIDED H.M. AMBASSADOR SEE NO OBJECTION, I SUGGEST IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE IF THE CONGRATULATIONS EITHER OF H.M.G. OR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, COULD BE CONVEYED TO THOSE CONCERNED IN VIEW OF ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE CONTROL OF THIS TRAFFIC WHICH IS SO DAMAGING TO THE PEOPLE OF NONG KONG AND POSES SUCH A BAFFLING PROBLEM FOR THIS

GOVERNMENT.

FCO PLEASE PASS COPY TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON

MACLEHOSE

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]

FILES

HKIOD

SEAD

N AM D

UND NEWS D

COPIES TO:

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON

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