0003160 G.F. 316
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its chronic problems of massive clandestine drug imports, heroin manufacture, drug addiction and export trafficking, and is showing an increased determination to get to serious grips with these things by way of international cooperation and action where appli- cable, pleases the Americans greatly. They wish the narcotics problem to be regarded as an international scourge and not as an American one alone and for this to be readily apparent to the producing countries. There seems to be no doubt that the Americans would welcome the posting of Hong Kong officers to Thailand with the improvement in cooperation which would result therefrom.
27.
Despite the realisation at the American Embassy in Rangoon that a low profile approach to the opium problem in Burma is the only one possible at present in the circumstances, nevertheless under the surface and at the American Embassies in Bangkok and Vientiane there appears to be considerable impatience with what is regarded as the intransigent Burmese attitude towards accepting substantial outside (American) aid to bring opium produc- tion and trafficking under control in a more forceful way than is currently the case. This is reflected in the strict adherence of the Burmese to a policy of non alignment and minimal international involvement. Particularly galling do the Americans find the blatant existence of twenty odd morphine and heroin refineries at Tachilek right under their noses immediately across the frontier from Mae Sai in Thailand which they are powerless to touch and which the Burmese Government apparently lacks the capability to erase. As one American put it in Rangoon The trouble with Burma is we have no clout'. This about sums it up and the American frustration.
28.
It seems probable that the Americans will endeavour to seek solutions to their heroin problems issuing from the so- called Golden Triangle region beyond the areas of law enforcement and crop substitution now being undertaken, since it is obvious that neither of these are going to contribute much to stemming the flow and reducing the supply of heroin in the United States within a period of time acceptable to American politicians.
The United Nations
29.
The U.N. is engaged in a pilot crop substitution programme in northern Thailand and hopefully may shortly begin one in Burma. The United States Aid Programme is promoting a similar venture in Laos. There are many difficulties to be overcome in long term projects of this nature as may be imagined which involve dealing with primitive tribesmen. It is essential that such schemes are well planned and thought through in all respects before being launched. However, it appears that there
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