TNAG-0505-FCO40-570-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 64

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CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Wotton

HKIOD K 245

POSSIBLE HONG KONG CONTRIBUTION TO UN FUND FOR DRUG ABUSE CONTROL

1. I spoke to Mr Hanna on 27 August about a proposal that the Hong Kong Government should contribute a part of the UK contribution to UNFDAC.

2. I mentioned at the time that it is our intention to cease to bear the cost of the UK contribution to the Fund on the FCO vote, and we hope that the Home Office will be in a position to meet this cost in the future. They in return have suggested that since the basis of the UK contribution is being reviewed, it would be appropriate to consider the possibility of a contri- bution from the Hong Kong Government who benefit directly from the activities of the Fund and of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

3. Over the past three years the UK contribution has stood at £50,000, and I presume that, should the Home Office offer to meet this cost, they would contemplate retaining the same level of contribution. A reasonable part contribution from Hong Kong would probably amount to about £10,000 per year.

4. In our opinion this proposal is a reasonable one and one to which we would like you to give serious attention. We realise that responsibility for Hong Kongs external affairs lies with the UK government, but in this instance the benefits accruing from the UN Fund are internal rather than external. The problem of trafficking in the Far East has inte ramifications and the UN Fund is contributing, albeit in a limited way, towards a solution of the overall problem. The Hong Kong Commissioner for Narcotic Drugs has himself spoken warmly of the practical uses of the Fund to his office. At the coming narcotics conference in Bangkok, expenses and subsistence of participants, including the representative from the Hong Kong Government, are to be met by the UN Fund. The UK contribution also enhances the status of our representatives on the Commission of Narcotic Drugs (of whom one is the Hong Kong adviser) which in its adhoc committee on elicit traffic in the Far East has concerned itself with the affairs of Hong Kong.

5. In the light of this I hope that you will think it appropriate to make an approach to the Hong Kong Government.

30 August 1974

CONFIDENTIAL

Thu Magogo

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JM Macgregor

United Nations Department

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