LAOS

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP80-01601R001000060002-6
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
K
Document Page Count: 
3
Document Creation Date: 
December 19, 2016
Document Release Date: 
November 6, 2000
Sequence Number: 
2
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
March 7, 1972
Content Type: 
MISC
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP80-01601R001000060002-6.pdf88.45 KB
Body: 
STATDTHR Approved' For Release 2006/01/03 : CIA-RDP80-01601 R01 1000060002-6 PRESS GUIDAC CE ?-,- Piarcl 7, 1972. If asked: j CIA and Opium in Laos - Baltimore Sun, March . 7, 1972 QUESTION: Has CIA been given assignment of collecting inform- ation on narcotics trafficking in' Laos? ANSWER: I think it c#oeL, without saying that intelligence gathering on illicit narcotics trafficking const.itutcs a high priority for the U.S. Government at this time. The CIA, as a member of the Cabinet Committee'on International Narcotics Control, has a legitimate role to play in the gathering and evaluating such information. If you are interested in learning more about what the U.S. Govern- ment is attempting to do in Southeast Asia and throughout the world to stem the flow of ilslici_t narcotics to our troops and to the continental :'United States, I would he han V .!" y with.the Of-f-' Ce Of 4- the Senior Advi4cr for international Narcotics Matters. QUESTION: Did US have anything to do with fire which destroyed a .heroin ,refinery last year? ANSWER: % No. QUESTION: Did US have anything to do with ambushing opium caravans? ANSWER: Competing opium traffickers have been ambushing each other's caravans for years. We have-no information indicating-US involvement. QUESTION:- Has US Mission condoned narcotics trafficking in Laos? ANSWER: No, but until RLG passed a narcotics control law last September, 'there were no legal sanctions against traffic. Since September, Mission has j assisted RLG in setting up a special narcoticr3 control agency and several important seizures have been made. Approved For Release 2006/01/03 : CIA-RDP80-01601 R001000060002-6 Approved For Release 2006/01/03 : CIA=RDP80-01601 R001000060002-6 QUESTION: 1Ivvr much will US narcotics control program, co:3 t? ANSWER: USAID has proposed $722,000 project Approved For Release 2006/01/03 : CIA-RDP80-01601 R001000060002-6 STATINTL L Approved For Release 2006/01/03 : CIA-RDP80-01601 R001000060002-6 Approved For Release 2006/01/03 : CIA-RDP80-01601 R001000060002-6