TNAG-1995-FCO40-2842-Drug-trafficking-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 187

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b)

v) Mr Wesley reported that the recent Customs Co-operation Symposium had discussed Customs action against drug trafficking. The meeting had been attended by representatives of Eastern and Western European countries. European Customs forces had been impressed with the UK's approach.

vi) Mr White reported that he had attended the Commonwealth Workshop on Mutual Legal Assistance in December with Mr Archbold of the Home Office. He reported that it had dwelt on mutual legal assistance related to fighting drugs crime. He had taken the opportunity to meet representatives of countries in the area and discuss bilateral issues such as the merits of DTOA type legislation.

Actions Planned

Mr White said we had hoped to make faster progress in some countries over the last three months. He asked why we had not signed agreements with Bermuda and Guyana as had been hoped. Mr Brown explained that as set out in the Progress Report the final steps to concluding the Guyana agreement remained to be taken. We were chasing the High Commission. The process of designating Bermuda had begun. Bermuda, Guyana and Anguilla were still likely to be first in line to conclude agreements with us in 1989. Other Caribbean DTS would follow, if they pass suitable legislation during the course of the year.

Mr Street then explained that following the passing of legislation the DT's would be designated by the UK and vice versa. They will then begin to cross-designate each other. He then went on to explain that it may be difficult for small states to understand and use these powers and that help and training should be available to their enforcement agencies. Mr Wesley said that Customs do already help smaller countries with advice and training.

Mr White mentioned that none of the agreements signed were yet in force. There then followed a debate on general timetables. The Home Office explained the complex Parliamentary and administrative procedures involved in producing orders in Council, each will take between 6-8 months from start to finish. Mr Potts agreed to circulate a note setting out an illustrative timetable of the steps necessary to bring agreements into force, for information.

Actions for the next 3 months and the negotiations timetable

3.

Mr Brown reported that over the next few months negotiations with the following were planned provisionally:

a)

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