TNAG-0506-FCO40-571-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 97

COVERING CONFIDENTIAL

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Our reference: Your reference:

DDA/64 3/69/29

A TR Oaten Esq

United Nations Department

HOME OFFICE

Romney House, Marsham Street, LONDON S.W.I

Telephone: 2991889

Telex: 24986

01-212 8920

REGISTRY No. 6

13 November 1974

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16

Envoy

Enver Mapa

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Foreign and Commonwealth ofRECEIVED IN

Downing Street

LONDON SW1

Dear Robin

32 NOV 1974 UM452

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144-

1 enclose for your information a copy of a letter that i have had from Norman Rolph about the problem of illicit opium growing in the Golden Triangle.

1 find the letter interesting but, at the same time, depressing. It is ground which I have been over before both with Norman Rolph himself and the United States DEA people and during the tour of the United Nations ad hoc committee for the Far East last year.

Perhaps there would be an advantage in a United Nations sponsored working group reviewing the situation anew, but solutions seem to me to depend entirely upon political considerations (as Norman Rolph himself concedes), over which a United Nations expert working group, however high-powered, can have little control.

I should, however, like to respond as positively as is possible to Norman Rolph in que course, because as he points out Hong Kong is so directly affected by what goes on in South East Asia, I doubt if ratiocination in London is going to produce miny startling new ideas but I should welcome an exchange of views with those in the FCO who are responsible for United Kingdom policy in South East Asia. addressed this letter to you because of the United Nations implications of the

I have, however, solution which Norman Rolph is canvassing. Perhaps you would be good enough to circulate the letter to the relevant departments in the FCO and to let me know, due course, whom I might approach for a discussion.

Yours sincerely

Chris

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