*
RESTRICTED
In Dalton
106511
MDADAN 5914
RESTRICTED
FM GABORONE
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 178
OF 07083OZ JULY 89
ADVANCE CUPY
INFO ROUTINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
DOE LONDON PSE PASS TO BUNCE, DOE BRISTOL
FOR MAED FROM FOLLAND, DOE
YOUR TELNO 126
AFRICAN ELEPHANT WORKING GROUP
1. DIVISION BETWEEN EAST AFRICAN STATES, PROPONENTS OF APPENDIX 1 LISTING AND SOUTHERN AFRICAN RANGE STATES, ZIMBABWE, ZAMBIA, BOTSWANA AND SOUTH AFRICA, ONLY PARTIALLY BRIDGED IN LAST PLENARY
SESSION OF AEWG 7 JULY.
2. SA RANGE STATES WILL NOT OPPOSE APPENDIX 1 LISTING IF THEIR
POPULATIONS ARE EXCLUDED. THEY MAY CONSIDER A MORATORIUM ON TRADE
UNTIL LAUSANNE IN OCTOBER, BUT THIS IS NOT CLEAR. HOPEFUL THAT
AGREED AFRICAN POSITION CAN BE REACHED BEFORE LAUSANNE MEETING.
GROUP ADOPTED PROPOSAL THAT CAMEROON SHOULD ACT AS A GO-BETWEEN, WITH CITES SECRETARIAT ASSISTANCE, TO REACH ACCOMMODATION WITH ALL RANGE STATES. TERMS OF REFERENCE TO BE AGREED IN PLENARY 8
JULY.
3. IN RESTRICTED SESSIONS SOUTHERN AFRICAN STATES HAVE BEEN
DEVELOPING JOINT CONTROL MEASURES AIMED AT ELIMINATING ILLEGAL TRADE.
DESPITE PRESSURE FROM UK SUPPORTED BY US IN PLENARY, THESE WERE NOT
MADE PUBLIC BECAUSE DELEGATIONS DID NOT HAVE GOVERNMENTAL
AUTHORITY. FROM CORRIDOR GOSSIP I UNDERSTAND MEASURES MAY INCLUDE PROVISION FOR CENTRAL AUCTION, EXPORT QUOTAS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR DISPOSAL OF CONFISCATED IVORY. IMPLICATIONS ARE, NOTWITHSTANDING LAUSANNE DECISIONS, THAT LIMITED TRADE IN IVORY WILL CONTINUE.
14.
HONG KONG CONCERN ON DISPOSAL OF PRESENT STOCKS WAS WELL AIRED
IN PLENARY AND IN THE MARGINS. THERE WAS SOME SYMPATHY FOR THIS
CONCERN. POSSIBLE SOLUTION MAY LIE WITH RESOLUTION TO BE
DRAFTED BY SECRETARIAT A HOSTILE REACTION CAN BE EXPECTED FROM ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY BUT NOT SO FROM WORLD
WILDLIFE FUND.
5.
WILL
NEWMAN
-
DISCUSS FURTHER IN LONDON ON WEDNESDAY 12 JULY.
YYYY
ADVANCE
1
HD/MAED
DISTRIBUTION
1
}