TNAG-2342-FCO40-3406-Drug-trafficking-agreements-between-Hong-Kong-and-other-coun-1991 — Page 68

RESTRICTED

FM HONG KONG

RESTRICTED

14)

145255

MDLIAN 4435

INFO ROUTINE FCO

TO PRIORITY VILA

TELNO 001

TECORRECTED VERSION)

HKC3851

OF 08090OZ MARCH 191 RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

13. MAR 1991

dings as

& 3rd countries.

DESK OFFICER

CORRECTED VERSIONA INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

Action Taken

fm 11/3

FCO FOR HKD

MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN RELATION TO DRUG TRAFFICKING

1. HONG KONG IS KEEN TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF A BILATERAL AGREEMENT WITH VANUATU FOR MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN RELATION TO THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENCES, AND THE CONFISCATION OF THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING.

2. WE HAVE STUDIED THE RELEVANT VANUATU LEGISLATION, AND CONCLUDE THAT THIS IS SUFFICIENTLY COMPATIBLE WITH OUR OWN TO PROVIDE A

BASIS FOR SUCH AN AGREEMENT.

3. IN THE MARGINS OF THE ESCAP MEETING OF SENIOR OFFICIALS ON DRUG ABUSE ISSUES IN TOKYO LAST MONTH VANUATU'S DELEGATE, DETECTIVE SUPERINTENDENT JOHN WELIN, WELCOMED THE PROSPECT OF SUCH AN AGREEMENT, AND ASKED THAT HONG KONG MAKE A FORMAL PROPOSAL TO THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE (CONCURRENTLY THE PRIME MINISTER).

4. WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD ADVISE US OF THE NAME AND CORRECT TITLE/ADDRESS OF THE MINISTER, SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SUCH A PROPOSAL.

FORD

YYYY

1

PAGE RESTRICTED