TNAG-0506-FCO40-571-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 48

CONFIDENTIAL

BY BAG

Ref: (105) in NS 50/76/98C

Colonial Secretariat,

Hong Kong.

21st October 1974

C

Den Chris,

Many thanks for your kind letter reference DDA/72 1/80/3 of 11th October, 1974 received yesterday enclosing a copy of the Colombo Plan's Report on the Drug Adviser's Programme 1973/74. As you are likely to be pressed for time I hasten to send you a note on my reactions to the said report an opportune moment to do so I might add to help profitably pass the boistrous hours of 'Typhoon Carman' by whose exotic arms Hong Kong is now embraced,

The progress of the continuing battle against the illicit drug trade and drug addiction in Asia would not be impeded or slowed down one jot by the removal from the scene of Colombo's Drug Adviser, but I agree with you that we should be prepared for the perpetuation of the office in some shape or form for another year if the majority of Colombo Plan countries are so minded as they may well be since most of them are getting something for nothing, or for very little, and Abarro is not without his smarmy popularity. One of the main troubles with the post of course is the incumbent. However, hard we try in Hong Kong, we cannot close our minds to the fact that P.A, is a charlatan and bent being an official in whom we have no confidence or trust whatsoever. We have too much serious work to do to waste our time with such a worthless individual. Nevertheless, he has friends and supporters in the region as you know.

As the report states, the Drug Adviser's role is primarily complementary and promotional, Taking it as a whole, the report depicts to me the rather superficial, shallow and broad brush approach to the several exacting disciplines involved in trying to interdict the illicit drug trade and treat and rehabilitate drug addicts, of a down-at- heel impresario who doesn't really know his onions, It is the testimony of a paid (I demur from describing him as a professional) conference promotor whose work lacks any well thought through basic policy or plan and in consequence is erratic in project concept and performance. Rather than a record of reasonable and solid achievement, the report seems to me to attempt to squeeze in everything and anything to justify the Adviser's continued existence, whether relevant to helping to solve our problems on the ground in a down to earth realistic manner or otherwise. The motto in the cracker is more conferences above all else; whilst some of the items suggested for the future are as daft as they are irrelevant to hard, primitive Asia.

C.S. 143

CONFIDENTIAL