CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 2097
OF 162010Z OCTOBER 89
CONFIDENTIAL
270
060737
MDHOAN 5593
HKCISI
APY Q DIST ?
CITES CONFERENCE: PROSPECTIVE BAN ON AL TRADE IN IVORY
1
WE HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING THE IMPLICATIONS OF A DECISION AT THE CITES CONFERENCE TO IMPOSE A BAN ON TRADE IN EXISTING STOCKS OF IVORY, INCLUDING THE 670 TONS IN HONG KONG, REPORTEDLY WORTH 83 MILLION POUNDS. AS YOU KNOW, THE UK WILL ABSTAIN FROM SUPPORTING SUCH RESOLUTION. BUT IT IS NONETHELESS VIRTUALLY CERTAIN THAT THE DECISION WILL GO AGAINST US.
2.
IF IT BECAME NECESSARY TO ENFORCE SUCH A BAN, WE TAKE IT THAT THE QUESTION OF COMPENSATION WOULD ARISE. WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF SUCH DEMANDS. A REPLY DESKBY 171130Z WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
MAJOR
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
22
LIMITED
HKD
MAED
NNNN
DISTRIBUTION
22
MR GILLMORE
MR MCLAREN
1
PAGE
CONFIDENTIAL