1
HKC151
·17 OCT 1989
CONFIDENTIAL
RePaul HD
4226
268
про
FROM:
~18/10
DATE:
MrStone
Meltstroy's R18/10
W17/12
менясал
PS/Mr Maude
CC:
A R Paul
Hong Kong Department 16 October 1989
Private Secretary
PS/Mr Waldegrave
Mr Gillmore
Mr Bayne
Mr McLaren
Mr Beetham, MAED
Mr Burns, News Dept
RECORD OF A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN MR MAUDE AND MR TRIPPIER, 16 OCTOBER 1989
1.
Mr Trippier telephoned Mr Maude today to bring him up to date on developments at the CITES Conference and to discuss how the UK should vote on Hong Kong when the matter comes up for the vote on 17 October.
2. Mr Trippier said that the Resolution for the Appendix I listing had not been passed, although there had been a majority vote in favour. However the "Somali solution" had subsequently been passed, with the South African States entering reservations.
3.
Mr Trippier then turned to the Resolution of trade in existing stocks, which would be voted on at tomorrow's meeting. He and Mr Patten believed that HMG should change its line from abstension to voting for the Resolution. He argued that there was not the slightest doubt that the vote would go against Hong Kong and that by abstaining, HMG would take a great deal of flak for no useful purpose. He understood the reasons for wishing to be seen
supporting Hong Kong, but hoped that the FCO would agree to take a more realistic line. If we did not it would look very bad indeed in EC terms.
4. Mr Maude asked whether there had been any discussion of compensation for Hong Kong. Was the UK delegation pressing for this? It would be easier for the UK to defend its stance in Hong Kong if we had been pressing for suitable compensation for the territory. He stressed that the existing stocks in Hong Kong had been acquired in good faith by the individuals concerned on the basis of CITES certification. There was a very good case for them to be properly compensated.
5. Mr Trippier said that there had been some very limited discussion on compensation at today's meeting. If there was
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CONFIDENTIAL