Office of the Historian

212. Telegram 212605 From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1 2

Washington, November 23, 1971, 2114Z.

Delivery opening of business

For Chief of Mission

Subject:

  • Presidential Letter to Ne Win on Narcotics Control

1. Request you deliver immediately to Burmese Ambassador Chit Myaing following message from the President to General Ne Win, Chairman, Burma’s Revolutionary Council, who is presently in London.

Verbatim text:

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I have been most gratified to learn of your personal interest and understanding with respect to the problem of the illicit production and trafficking in narcotics in certain parts of Southeast Asia, including Burma.

As you know, the problem of drug abuse world-wide has become increasingly serious in recent years, necessitating that the highest priority be assigned to international cooperation in developing solutions. To further our mutual interest in reducing the supply of illicit narcotics, I would hope to see an increasing exchange of information and views between our two governments. With this in mind, I would be grateful if you would meet at an early date with Nelson G. Gross, whom I have designated as my personal representative for this purpose.

Mr. Gross is now serving as Senior Adviser to the Secre [Page 2] tary of State and Coordinator for International Narcotics matters. In this capacity, he has primary responsibility for the coordination of the United States international activities in the narcotics field. As such he has my full confidence and that of Secretary of State Rogers, who serves as Chairman of our Cabinet Committee on International Narcotics Control.

I believe you would find a meeting with him useful, and I know that he would find a discussion with you most rewarding in connection with the responsibilities that he has been asked to undertake.

I have asked Ambassador Annenberg to deliver this letter to Ambassador Chit Myaing personally. May I suggest that, if it is convenient, you advise Ambassador Annenberg of the date when it would be agreeable to you to receive Mr. Gross. End verbatim text

Signed letter will follow by air pouch.

2. Please advise Department by immediate cable when informed of date agreeable to Ne Win to receive Gross. We understand Ne Win will be available in London until at least November 30. Gross will arrange to come to London as soon as appointment date firm. However, would prefer date as late as possible, since must be in Europe for Chiefs of Mission meeting week of December 6 and would prefer that week in order to avoid two trips.

Rogers
  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 729, Country Files, Europe, United Kingdom, Vol. VII. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Wellman, cleared by Dexter, and approved by Gross. Repeated Priority to Bonn and Rangoon.↩
  2. The Department transmitted the text of a letter from President Nixon to General Ne Win to be delivered by Ambassador Annenberg to the Burmese representative in London.↩