RESTRICTED
FM FCO
TO DESKBY 20010OZ HONG KONG
TELNO 1083
OF 1913OOZ MAY 89
RESTRICTED
HKC IS1|1
AND TO DESKBY 22053OZ DAR ES SALAAM
AND TO DESKBY 19150OZ WASHINGTON
INFO PRIORITY UKREP BRUSSELS, NAIROBI, KAMPALA
42
110717 MDHOAN 1553
MIPT REFERS
DOE: DRAFT STATEMENT
1.
THE GOVERNMENT SHARES THE CONCERN THAT HAS BEEN EXPRESSED ABOUT THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT. WE ALREADY STRICTLY IMPLEMENT CONTROLS ON THE IMPORT OF AFRICAN IVORY UNDER THE PROVISONS OF
THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES). THESE CONTROLS INCLUDE THE SCRUPULOUS CHECKING OF DOCUMENTATION TO ENSURE THAT ONLY IVORY THAT HAS BEEN OBTAINED LEGALLY ENTERS THE COUNTRY.
2.. WE HAVE REVIEWED THE POSITION IN THE LIGHT OF GROWING EVIDENCE OF THE DECLINE OF ELEPHANT POPULATIONS. WE HAVE ALSO
TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE ILLEGAL TRADE IN POACHED IVORY. WE NOW
BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A CLEAR CASE FOR BANNING ALL TRADE IN NEW
ELEPHANT TUSKS AT THE EARLIEST PRACTICAL OPPORTUNITY. EFFECTIVE
ACTION CAN ONLY BE TAKEN INTERNATIONALLY AND THE FIRST
OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE THAT ACTION WILL BE THE CITES CONFERENCE IN
OCTOBER. MY NOBLE FRIEND LORD CAITHNESS WILL BE CALLING FOR CONCERTED EUROPEAN SUPPORT FOR SUCH A BAN AT THE NEXT MEETING OF
THE COUNCIL OF ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS IN JUNE.
3. CONCERN HAS ALSO BEEN EXPRESSED ABOUT TRADE IN ILLEGAL IVORY
PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE
INFORMED US THAT, FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION IN
AUGUST 1988 THEY NOW PROHIBIT THE IMPORT OF IVORY IN ALL ITS
FORMS EXCEPT FROM A CITES APPROVED SOURCE AND SUBJECT TO THE
ISSUE OF A LICENCE.
HOWE
YYYY