TNAG-0560-FCO40-655-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 85

PRIORITY

CYPHER CAT/A

GPS 190

FM HONG KONG 940742Z

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED IN

REGISTRY No.52

- 4 FEB1975

4KK 1911

NEX

REF.

LACT

(2)

TO PRIORITY F C O TELEGRAM NUMBER 127 OF 4 FEBRUARY INFO PRIORITY

BANGKOK, RANGOON AND VIENTIANE.

FURTHER TO MY TELEGRAM NUMBER 72 OF 22 JANUARY.

COWELL SURFACED IN HONG KONG 4 FEBRUARY AND SAW COMMISSIONER

FOR NARCOTICS,

2. HE GAVE AN INTERESTING DESCRIPTION OF THE OPIUM TRADE IN SHAN

STATE AND PRODUCED A DOCUMENT SIGNED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF SHAN

STATE ARMY, SHAN UNITED ARMY AND SHAN STATE ARMY EASTERN OFFERING

TO SELL THE ANNUAL SHAN OPIUM CROP TO ANY RECOGNISED INTERNATIONAL

OR GOVERNMENT BODY. IN PRACTICE THIS WAS INTERPRETED AS MEANING

SELLING IT TO THE AMERICANS.

3. THE DOCUMENT IS BEING MAILED BY COWELL TO LESTER WOLFF AT

WASHINGTON TODAY. A COPY FOLLOWS BY BAG. IT IS WOLFF'S INTENTION

TO PURSUE THE MATTER AT A HIGH LEVEL IN WASHINGTON ACCORDING TO

COWELL.

4. COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS WAS NOT INVITED TO EXPRESS ANY

OPINION ON THE PROPOSAL AND NONE WAS OFFERED. IT MUST BE A NON-

STARTER FOR THE REASONS GIVEN IN PARAGRAPH 5 OF YOUR TELEGRAM

NUMBER 28 OF 10 JANUARY, FROM TODAY'S TALK IT WAS CLEAR THAT THERE

IS SUBSTANTIAL STATE DEPARTMENT OPPOSITION,

5. PLEASE INFORM TRAIN, HOME OFFICE.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

HKIOD (4)

SEAD

UND

SIR D WATSON

MR WILFORD

MR CAMPBELL MR WEIR

ترا

CONFIDENTIAL

COPIES TO:

MR TRAIN HOME OFFICE

Mr. Tran Jin. Stroh

to see

then

PA/12