TNAG-0560-FCO40-655-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 57

RS 450

PRIORITY

CONFIDENTIAL

33

RE" REC

13 MAK 75

CYPHER CAT/A

RECEIVED. IN

REOTY No. 50

FM HONG KONG 120730Z

13 MAR 1975

CONFIDENTIAL

picki

TO PRIORITY F C O TELEGRAM NUMBER 239 OF 12 MARCH INFO PRIORITY PARIS AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON (F CO PLEASE PASS).

I SHOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE POSTING OF A R.H.K.P.F. SUPERINTENDENT, TO

INTERPOL, PARIS.

2. AT THE REQUEST OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF INTERPOL (WHO VISITED HONG KONG LAST YEAR) WE HAVE AGREED TO POST A SUPER- INTENDENT TO THE INTERPOL SECRETARIAT FOR A PERIOD OF TWO AND A HALF YEARS. HE WILL BE EMPLOYED IN STUDYING CASES OF ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY THOSE CONCERNING SOUTH EAST ASIA. INTERPOL TENDS AT PRESENT TO CONCENTRATE ON EUROPEAN MATTERS, WITH CAMPARATIVELY LITTLE ATTENTION BEING PAID TO THE FAR EAST,

AND IN OUR VIEW THEAND IN OUR VIEW THE PRESENCE OF AN OFFICER

FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WOULD BE HIGHLY DESIRABLE. IT IS CONSIDERED THAT A MUCH CLOSER LIAISON, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIELD OF DRUG SYNDICATES AND ILLICIT NARCOTICS TRAFFIC, WOULD RESULT. IN THE LONG TERM, THIS WOULD ALSO PRODUCE A TWO- WAY FLOW OF INFORMATION AND CO-OPERATION IN LOCAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AREAS THROUGH PERSONAL CONTACTS WITH NATIONAL

CENTRAL BUREAUX.

3. PROBLEMS HAVE ARISEN OVER THE DETAILS OF THE POSTING. ON THE ONE HAND WE HAVE NO OFFICE IN PARIS TO WHICH THE OFFICER COULD BE ATTACHED AND ON THE OTHER WE ARE TOLD THAT INTERPOL HAS NO ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY TO COPE WITH PERSONNEL MATTERS. WE ARE WONDERING THEREFORE IF FOR HOUSEKEEPING PURPOSES IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT TO BE ATTACHED IN SOME WAY TO THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PARIS. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THIS COULD ENABLE THE OFFICER TO DRAW HIS SALARY (OR PART OF IT), RENT REIMBURSEMENT AND EDUCATION ALLOWANCE FROM THE EMBASSY AT THE RATE OF EXCHANGE USED FOR EMBASSY STAFF, WITH REIMBURSEMENT

CONFIDENTIAL

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