TNAG-0561-FCO40-656-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 125

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

CONFIDENTIAL

Telephone 01-

Men. Wootton Ли

Tki

E W Callway Esq

UKMis Geneva

Your reference

Our reference

UM 45/13

Date

27 May 1975

(89)

UN FUND FOR DRUG ABUSE CONTROL

We spoke on the telephone just before the Spring Bank Holiday about the difficulties of a UK contribution to UNFDAC.

1.

I explained that I had just received a letter from Dennis Usborne in MAID saying that this matter had been discussed within the OD and the conclusion reached was that they did not think that the activities of the Fund were sufficiently concerned with development problems in developing countries to justify a contribution from their Vote.

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2. The ODM are also opposed to an idea which we also floated that we should offer support from our general aid programme in implementing any aspects of a UN programme in individual countries concerned with drug problems. They have added however that if a government of a developing country asked them to carry out a project in this sector they would be happy to consider it and if there was a possibility of co-ordinating our efforts with the activities of any UN programme they would obviously seek to encourage this.

3. I have spoken to Chris Train who does not consider that there is a strong "developmental" case at present and it would be hard to controvert the ODM's decision. The overall focus of the Fund has been on law enforcement.

11.

We must now either tell Ilartens that we regret that for this year, due to our present stringent financial situation, we will be unable to make a contribution towards the Fund or let it ride; we would be grateful for your views. Should it be decided that it would b be appropriate and polite to tell hartens, (and I believe that you would prefer this), we think that the best time for this might be soon after the announcement of long Kong's contribution, and we could also add that we will of course continue to give whatever help we can in other ways such as expert advice, training courses etc.

5. I am sorry that this has been a rather drawn out affair and I appreciate the difficulties it may cause you but in present circumstances there has been no alternative.

C.C.

C J Train Esq Home Office

J EC Macrae Esq UKMis New York

EC Glover Esq Washington

A L Wotton

ur

HKIO Dept

CONFIDENTIAL

ATR Vaten

United Nations Department