TNAG-0505-FCO40-570-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 74

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CONFIDENTIAL

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ANGLO AMERICAF/HONG KONG DISCUSSIONS ABOUT DRUG TRAFFICKING INTO AND THROUGH HONG KONG

VISIT TO WASHINGTON 1st to 3rd JULY 1974

INTRODUCTION

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The second meeting between officials from Hong Kong, the United States of America and the United Kingdom, to discuss drug trafficking into and through Hong Kong, was held in Washington from 1st to 3rd July. The meeting was a follow up of that held in Hong Kong in June 1973. Provisional arrangements for it had been made at the UK Narcotics Commission in Geneva in February between Er John T Cusack of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Er N Rolph, Hong Kong Commissioner for Narcotics, and myself. The UK delegation comprised myself, Mr D A Jordan (Chief Investigation Officer, Custors and Excise) and Commander Morrison (New Scotland Yard). Er Rolph was the sole representative of Hong Kong. The Drug Enforcement Administration was more elaborately represented; Hr Cusack led the delegation, supported by Mr Belk, Mr Warner, Kr Durkin and Mr Lund (their functions are set out in the full list of those who attended, attached as Appendix I to this note).

2. The groundwork for the meeting had been laid in the discussions in Geneva and had been developed into a provisional and informal agreement that had been circulated subsequently for consideration by Governments (Appendix II). The Drug Enforcement Administration had prepared and circulated an agenda, which is contained in Appendix I. This was followed to a large extent, but there were some modifications made which are referred to elsewhore in this note.

3. On arrival in Washington on Monday, 1st July, we were entertained at a reception given at the State Department by Ambassador Vance, (Senior Adviser to the Secretary of State and Co-Ordinator for International Narcotics Hatters) and John Eartels Junr., the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration. (A copy of the guest list at the recortion is at Arpendix III.) Two full days of meetings followed on Tuesday and Wednesday, 2nd and 3rd July. These took place at the Drug Enforcement Administration Offices. On Wednesday, 3 July, I also met Ambassador Vance to discuss UK matters, and the UK delegation and Mr Rolph attended a meeting at the State Department of a Cabinet Sub-Committee which co-ordinates the US response to international narcotics matters in South-East Asia. This meeting took place on the Wednesday afternoon and not on Monday afternoon as had been planned (because of the late arrival of our flight in Washington). We stayed at a comfortable and convenient hotel, and the arrangements made for our visit and the hospitality given were more than adequate.

4. The following note gives an account of the main points covered by the agenda.

AGENDA

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At my suggestion, Items 2, 5 and 6 were taken together, and Items 3, 4 and 7 likewise.

DISCUSSION OF AGREEMENT (Item 1)

6. The provisional agreement which had been circulated by Ir Rolph (Appendix II) was accepted and can now be regarded as substantive, with one gloss and one. rodification suggested by the UK. I drew attention to the desirability of allowing, within reason, the subject matter of meetings to go beyond the irmediate subject of trafficking into and through Hong Kong and suggested that, as for this meeting, other matters of common interest to two or more of the parties should be covered for example, te growth of cocaine trafficking from South America into Europe. I also suggested that the obligation imposed on the Commissioner for Narcotics by

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