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they might be even less easy to trace. If they did not they might call our bluff. Of more immediate moment, however is that the Americans have asked us to hold our hand on any action which we might have been able to take outside Thai waters. Apparently, despite the difficulties, they apparently hope to make new progress in persuading and helping the Thais to identify and search the trawlers, inside the gulf of Thailand. Since they are the experts on the Thai traffic, I think we should go along with this. Meanwhile Train has looked into the more technical solutions which you discussed and has recently sent you his comments.
5. The other outstanding point is whether an approach to the Chinese Government would be helpful. Our experts have considered this carefully; but have concluded that, given that the Chinese already discourage the traffic, such an approach might achieve little at this stage. They are not able, we believe, to influence the growers in the triangle or the Governments concerned. Nor would we wish them to get involved in stopping and searching ships outside Hong Kong, even if they could. Unless, therefore they can help you with Hong Kong's internal problem, which I imagine is unlikely and perhaps undesirable, our present view is that we should not make direct approaches to the Chinese or encourage others to do so.
6.
Dick Crowson has written separately to Timothy George about the Interpol meeting. As he says, our aim will be to make what use we can of this mainly technical meeting, but without goading publicly at the Burmese and Thais, which could be counter productive.
Yours ever
Andrew
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department
Copy to:
PB Williams Esq HONG KONG
C J Train Esq HOME OFFICE
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