TNAG-0416-FCO40-462-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 25

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This probably

means

HK Chinese.

Hence my additini to

the telegram. Ms.

seems a good idea.

3. In commenting on the proposal to post a Hong Kong

officer to Chiang Mai, however, I think we need to make some

reference to the views of the Acting Consul (Mr Smith) at

Chiang Mai, in his letter of 17 April to Bangkok. These are

referred to in passing in Sir A de la Mare's letter, but he

does not deal specifically with Mr Smith's comment that a

Hong Kong Officer might not be of much use in Chiang Mai

unless he has a specific job of work to do. Mr Smith suggests

that the most useful attribute of the Officer appointed would

be to speak several dialects of Chinese with a view to

improving our information on local Chinese involved in the

opium trade. A man of this kind might be rather different

from the sort of undeclared Liaison Officer whom the Ambassador

seems to have in mind. I recommend that we ask the Ambassador

to give his views on this and on the type of man he would

like for the job, liaising directly with Hong Kong.

4. I submit a draft telegram. FOD, PPD, Security Department

and SEAD agree.

Mr Thomas (POD) and Mr Youde (PSD) will

support the proposal that Sir A de la Mare, but not his wife,

should visit Hong Kong, provided that Mr Wilford agrees.

14 June 1973

Cc: SEAD

ACS

A C Stuart

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department

Ки

Kumbril 1576

POD

PPD

Security Dept

UND

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