19/1
Trial
BRITISH EMBASSY
RANGOON
10 May 1973, 2
비
68
CC HID1)
M
UND
REGENT No. 14
JP I Hennessy Esq
SEAD
FCO
Dear Jim,
HKK 19/3
PRESS REPORTS OF BURMESE ARMY ACTION AGAINST OPIUM GROWERS
1 Please refer to Hong Kong telegram No 496 of 7 May and our telegram No 58 of 8 May. We have since seen a report from Richard Hughes in The Sunday Timeg of 6 May (copy enclosed for ready reference) which 19 presumably one of the reports referred to in the Hong Kong telegram under reference.
2
There have been no reports in Burma of the Burmese Army taking action against opium growers. It is possible that the Burmese authorities have ordered the forceable closure of the ex KMT or KKY operated heroin refineries in the Tachilek area, This, combined with the Burma Army's disbandment of KKYs, has possible led to fighting but we have no official information to this effect. Richard Hughes'. report that the Burmese Army has "occupied" Tachilek surprises us since this is the base of the 5 Kachin Rifles and the most. important border/customs point in this section of the Burma Thai border. The figure of 15,000 former Chinese Nationalists fleeing the town would appear a gross exaggeration.
3 Hughes' statement that the opium smugglere have been promised a subsidy by the Burmese Government financed from US funds reminds us once again of Nelson Gross's idea of 1971. But we know that this was never a starter and are only surprised that it should crop up again.
SECRET ECLIPSE
14 In
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.