***ONE***
PS/Mr Trippier
Copied to
PS/Secretary of State
Mr Burr
Mr Bunce
HKCISI
273
Mr Rock
Mr Stephens
Mr Folland
-
by fax
Mr Hughes, FCO - by fax
IVORY
1. Contrary to previous expectations, the votes on Appendix I listing for the elephant came early this afternoon in Committee I of the CITES Conference. The resolution for Appendix I listing without qualification secured a simple majority but not the two- thirds majority required for it to be effective. The compromise put forward by Somalia, for which we voted together with the rest of our EC partners and the United States, was carried by a majority of 76 - 11. The Zimbabwe proposal for split-listing was heavily defeated.
2. The prediction that the Somali compromise was acceptable to all the African countries directly concerned proved unfounded. Immediately after the vote, Zimbabwe and 4 others announced their intention to enter reservations. This may have been a piece of last ditch gamesmanship and an attempt to secure a reversal of the vote when the issue goes to the conference in plenary session for ratification. Subject to that possibility, we would expect the voting simply to be confirmed there. But if so, and if the southern African states go ahead with formal reservations (for which they have 90 days) the result will be a very wide loop-hole for the poachers, particularly if Japan chooses to enter a reservation.
3. I see no reason why Ministers should not now issue a statement welcoming the vote (and perhaps urging the southern African states to think again). I think that it would be appropriate also now to announce the intention to abstain on the "Hong Kong resolution" which will probably come up tomorrow. incidentially, will our own resolution calling for implementation of the up-rating without the normal 90 days delay,
So,
4. I attach a draft accordingly, This has not been cleared with FCO at official level and we are asked not to issue anything until it has been.
An
RJ GREEN DRA