Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
Matthew, Nina, Joe, Daniel and
Rachel Morgan
83 St John's Crescent
Whitchurch
Cardiff
CF4 7AG
South Wales
Telephone 01-
Your reference
HKCISI/1
Our reference
Date
FILE
159
270 2653
PJMAQC
5 July 1989
Dear Matthew, Nim, Joe Daniel and Ruch!?!
It was nice of you to write to tell us about your concern for the African elephant and the Ivory Trade in Hong Kong. Since you wrote, quite a lot has happened which we all hope will help protect the African elephant in future. The British authorities and representatives of a lot of other countries are all going to meet in October to discuss ways of ensuring further protection. But in advance of the meeting the British Government have already stopped allowing imports of ivory and many other countries have done the same, including Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Government have also now got a special customs force (like a police squad) to act against criminals who try to import ivory illegally, and if they get caught they will be punished much more heavily than before.
So, to answer your last sentence, I am glad to say that both the British Government and the Hong Kong Government are speaking up for you and for the elephant. Let us hope that their efforts are successful and that there will, as you hope, be elephants in Africa when you grow up.
Lows sincerely,
أتانا
F B Holroyd
Hong Kong Department
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