TNAG-0560-FCO40-655-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 68

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Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1

Telephone 01-

2.5

N G Rolph Esq OBE QPM CPM Commissioner of Narcotics Colonial Secretariat HONG KONG

(22)

Your reference (27) in NS 76/76/98$

Our reference

HKK 19/1

Date 13 February 1975

Dev Neman

PRE-EMPTIVE BUYING OF OPIUM FROM THE SHAN STATE ARMY

1. Many thanks for your letter and enclosures of 5 February about the Cowell/Woolf proposals for pre-emptive buying of opium from the Shan State Army.

2. As you say, there can be no question but that we must steer clear of this scheme. The arguments against our getting involved are so strong that it is difficult to see how Cowell expects anything worthwhile to emerge from it. There also seems little doubt that Lester Woolf is pushing the issue for his own political ends. But I would think it doubtful whether he will receive much support or sympathy in the United States.

3. We have not incidentally heard the actual date of your retirement. I will myself shortly be leaving the Department on posting to Jakarta so I will take this opportunity of wishing you all the best for the future.

Yours eve!

Andrew

A C Stuart

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.

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