141)
RESTRICTED
ра
050423 MDLIAN 2046
HKC ISI
小
RESTRICTED
FM HARARE
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 377
OF 270808Z JUNE 89
BAN ON IVORY
1.
A NUMBER OF ARTICLES CRITICISING THE UNILATERAL DECISION
BY BRITAIN WITHIN THE EC (AND THE US) TO BAN IVORY PRODUCTS HAS APPEARED IN THE ZIMBABWEAN PRESS RECENTLY (DETAILS BY BAG). I EXPECT THERE TO BE MORE AND POSSIBLY SOME OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIONS BY THE GOVERNMENT AND VARIOUS WILDLIFE ORGANISATIONS HERE.
2.
LIKE BOTSWANA, CFCO TELNO 115 TO GABORONE, PARAS 12 AND 13) ZIMBABWE HAS A SURPLUS OF ELEPHANTS AND IS FORCED, ON ENVIRONMENTAL GROUNDS, TO ORGANISE CULLS FROM TIME TO TIME. ALL THE IVORY CARVINGS AND THE USE OF IVORY IN JEWELRY ETC COMES FROM THE REGULATED TRADE IN IVORY RESULTING FROM THESE CULLS. IT REPRESENTS A USEFUL FORM OF INCOME FOR ZIMBABWE AND EMPLOYS A NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
3. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY CONSULTATIONS WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS OR WITH POSTS ABROAD LEADING UP TO OUR DECISION TO BAN IVORY PRODUCTS. GRATEFUL FOR DEFENSIVE GUIDANCE.
MELHUISH
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
89
LIMITED
MAED
CAFD
OADS
SAD
HKD
ECDE
NAD
PS/MRS CHALKER
DISTRIBUTION
89
PS/LORD GLENARTHUR
PS/MR EGGAR
PS/SIR J FRETWELL
MR TOMKYS
MR BAYNE
MR FAIRWEATHER
MR SLATER
MR FEARN
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