248. Telegram 133273 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Nepal, June 21, 1974, 1526Z.
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STATE 133273 R 211526Z JUN 74 FM SECSTATE WASHDC STATE 133273 SUBJ: NARCOTICS SMUGGLING REF: A) KATHMANDU 2016; B) [text not declassified] 1. DEPARTMENT IS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT IMPLICATIONS OF REF B THAT NEPALESE DIPLOMATIC POUCH FROM KATHMANDU TO NEW YORK PERMANENT UN MISSION HAS BEEN MISUSED FOR PURPOSES OF ATTEMPTED SMUGGLING OF HASHISH INTO THE UNITED STATES. REF B HAS ALSO BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO NSC, DEA, AND CABINET COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL. 2. FIRST, WE ARE INTERESTED IN CLOSING ANY CHANNELS FOR ILLICIT NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING INTO THE U.S. IN ADDITION WE BELIEVE THAT IF THIS INFORMATION WERE TO BECOME PUBLIC, BOTH OUR PRESENT GOOD RELATIONS WITH NEPAL AND OUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THERE COULD BE JEOPARDIZED. HENCE IT IS IN OUR INTEREST AS WELL AS GON'S THAT IT TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THIS FLAGRANT ABUSE OF DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGE IS NOT REPEATED. 3. WE BELIEVE NEPALESE ARE ALREADY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT THINK IT ONLY ADVISABLE THAT WE MAKE OUR CONCERN KNOWN. REQUEST EMBASSY'S COMMENTS ON SUBSTANCE AND FOCUS OF ANY APPROACH ON PROBLEM IN KATHMANDU AND WASHINGTON. KISSINGER |
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