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101316
MDHOAN 1418
RESTRICTED
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 1066
OF 171145Z MAY 89
636
HK4511
YOUR TELNO 1565: THE IVORY TRADE.
WE
1. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS IN TUR, WHICH HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED IN OUR DRAFT REPLY TO THE EARLY DAY MOTION. HAVE ALSO OBTAINED THE USEFUL BACKGROUND INFORMATION REFERRED TO
IN PARA 4 OF TUR.
2. WE HAVE NOW ALSO HAD A PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FROM LORD BETHELL FOR WRITTEN REPLY IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS ON 24 MAY. IT READS AS FOLLOWS QUOTE TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE/HMG WHETHER THEY PROPOSE TO TAKE STEPS TO STAMP OUT THE IVORY TRADE IN HONG
KONG UNQUOTE.
3. WE PROPOSE TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DRAFT REPLY QUOTE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY THEIR RESPONSIBLITIES AS A PARTY TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES (CITES), THEY ALREADY MEET ALL THE CITES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONTROLS ON THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF IVORY. WE HAVE HITHERTO TAKEN THE VIEW THAT THERE IS NO CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT A BAN ON TRADE IN IVORY WOULD STOP THE DEMAND FOR IVORY
PRODUCTS AND THUS THE SLAUGHTER OF ELEPHANTS. I AM SURE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD SYMPATHETICALLY THE CASE FORCONSIDER FOR SUCH
A BAN SHOULD IT BE RECOMMENDED AT THE OCTOBER CITES MEETING. 4. GRATEFUL FOR COMMENTS DESKBY 220830Z TO ENABLE US TO MEET
OUR DEADLINE.
HOWE
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
20
MINIMAL
HKD
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