TNAG-0560-FCO40-655-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 82

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56 ONCE AGAIN, I WANT TO ASSERT THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ENLIST THE EXCELLENT COOPERATION AND SUPPORT OF BRITISH, THAI AND HONG KONG AUTHORITIES IN OUR EFFORT TO COMBAT THE NARCOTICS TRAFFIC. WHAT IS DISAPPOINTING IS THE LACK OF SUPPORT FROM OUR OWN STATE DEPARTMENT. I AM ASKING THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO PRESS THE BURMESE FOR FULL COOPERATION AND ALSO TO WORK OUT SOME WAY OR MEANS OF REACHING THE SHANS, WHO CONTROL THE POPPY FIELDS.

6. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS MORE CONCERNED WITH NOT INTERFERING IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF ANOTHER COUNTRY. I TOO SUPPORT THE RIGHT OF COUNTRIES TO CONTROL THEIR INTERNAL AFFAIRS. BUT IT IS NO LONGER AN INTERNAL MATTER WHEN OPIUM IS REFINED INTO HEROIN WHICH MAKES ITS WAY ONTO OUR SHORES, AND INTO THE VEINS OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY. THE STATE DEPART- MENT MUST REALIZE THAT OUR RELATIONS WITH OTHER NATIONS ARE NOT AS IMPORTANT AS OUR OWN RELATIONS -- OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS IN THIS COUNTRY. :

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I THINK THIS IS A MATTER OF THE UTMOST IMPORTÂNCE, AND I AM WORKING TO BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF OFFICIALS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE WHITE HOUSE. I AM PERSONALLY WORKING ON SUG- GESTIONS TO AID OUR GOVERNMENT. IN THIS CRUCIAL AREA CONTROLLING THE OPIUM POPPIES IN SHAN CONTROLLED LANDS. HOWEVER, I AM UNABLE TO REVEAL THE EXACT DETAILS OF ON- GOING DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE OF THE IR. SENSITIVE NATURE.

Rim.