TNAG-0820-FCO40-1027-Narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 186

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DSR 11C

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8. We have secured full credit from the Thai Government for the "correct" attitude we have hitherto adopted over this

case and from an informal conversation our Counsellor in Bangkok had with senior Thai officials (and the Thai Ambassador in London who is on leave) on 17 October they seem to want to establish a channel of communication with us to work out a solution to the problem. Mr David Lyman's view that the best way to proceed with the Thais is to ask for their advice after informing them of all the facts available may be relevant in this connection:

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9. While it would be wrong to base too many hopes on this early manoeuvring, Further informal exploratory talks with Thai officials seem to present the best way forward. In the view. of South East Asia Department these would be best. conducted in Bangkok although at a later stage it may be desirable to speak to the Thai Ambassadorfrei London

10.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned our Consul on 8 September that the Department of Corrections might not view favourably a petition for a Royal Pardon. This has led Miss Nightingale, the defence lawyers and ourselves to agree that she should not act precipitately in filing such a peti- tion but wait at least until after she has been seen to benefit from an amnesty (two are expected in December, she will not qualify for the first but may do for the second in which case her sentence could be reduced by a few years). On this time scale we might expect to take more definitive action early in 1979.

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11. A draft reply to Mrs Castle is attached but In view of the delicacy of the matter we recommend that instead of writ- ing Dr Owen should invite Mrs Castle to meet him on her own and that she should be told that

i)

matters have moved on to a point where it is now up to us to see whether anything can be done at the diplomatic level to resolve the problem (Mr David Lyman's letter supports this view)

/ii)

Support

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Mia for

Mayal Pardon

D

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