TNAG-0417-FCO40-463-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 121

:

HONG KONG STANDARD

AUGUST

21ST 73.

1+KK 19/3

$

Congressmen

oppose Wolff drug threats

THE

implied threat of sanctions on Hongkong exports to the United States made by Mr Lester Wolff, chairman of

US the

House of Representatives

Foreign

Affairs Committee, last Friday does not represent the official view of the US Government.

This was stated by five visiting American Congressmen yesterday in a letter to Hongkong press.

In a handwritten statement, Congressmen, Garner Shriver, William Steiger, Marvin Esch, William Cohen and Lawrence Hogan, said the remarks made by Mr Wolff represented only his own personal views and opinions.

DISAGREE

to

The gentleman (Mr_Wolff) spoke without authority represent the official position of the US Government.

"We do not agree with the remarks and opinions allegedly expressed by the gentleman.

"We regret any implications of criticism directed against the Hongkong Government,'

17

The critical reaction came close on the heels of Mr Wolff's departure from Hongkong last night.

Mr Wolff, arrived here on Friday with team of five Congressmen on a fact-finding mission on drug transship- ments through Hongkong.

¥

He said upon his arrival that the US Government will "get

tough" with countries involved in the distribution of narcotics from the Far East to the US if proper co-operation is accorded undercover drug agents.

The

to

not American

Congressman

for

subsequently held a meeting with Commissioner Narcotics Norman Rolph last Saturday about the drug problem.

Shortly before his departure for Taipei, Mr Wolff said in a prepared statement to the press that the US in dealing with the problem of the manufacture and smuggling of narcotics, had no desire to impose itself on the autonomy of Hongkong or any other government.

"The problem we find is not a lack of co-operation from the Hongkong Government. Rather, it is a question of interpretation as to what co-operation infers. "We find that there is no solid evidence available as to the amount of drugs transiting Hongkong that are going to the! United States. This is partly because of the Lature of Hongkong as an entrepot port and inability to exercise sufficient surveillance to control the drug traffic.

"Hongkong is a free port with a great volume of travellers and freight passing through. It is an area of great potentiality to the drug trafficker who can utilise the air traffic and ship traffic stopping over in Hongkong

"During my stay here, I have had ample opportunity to talk with both Hongkong and American officials about the problem of trafficking in drugs. I leave here optimistic that our friendly discussions have paved the way for continuing and increased co-operation that will operate to our mutual advantage, and through our coordinated efforts, we can greatly reduce this scourge.'

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