that the Southern African states could have a justifiable case. I therefore propose that the UK should be prepared should it be necessary as a possible fall-back position to accept some degree of trade from these states whose populations are capable of agreed and controlled exploitation, and subject to watertight monitored marketing systems. I should be grateful to know whether you are content with this approach.
HONG KONG
The second, issue relates to the existing legal stocks of ivory held by Hong Kong (and other countries, although the UK's prime concern is Hong Kong). Hong Kong estimate that they are holding about 670 tonnes of ivory. If Appendix I listing were accepted they would not, according to a Resolution adopted at an earlier Conference, be able to trade in these stocks. This issue was discussed at the recent African Elephant Working Group meeting, and as a result the CITES Secretariat were requested to produce a draft Resolution which would allow trade in existing stocks any country to continue. They have now done this. Hong Kong are concerned that their views should be heard and have asked us to put forward their case at the Conference. (Hong Kong will be present at the Conference, but as part of the UK delegation). am sympathetic to the legitimate concerns of the Hong Kong traders and Government and believe that we should be prepared to speak for them in Lausanne.
I
overseas
It is possible, however, that the European Community might oppose a proposal to allow trade in existing stocks. This issue falls within Community competence. In normal circumstances we should not be able to oppose a common Community position. The issue substantially affects Hong Kong, and we, France, Denmark and the Netherlands, maintain that where the interests of territory are deemed to be distinct and significant we should be able to vote separately on their behalf. If we were to do this, however, we could isolate ourselves from the rest of the Community. This would be undesirable because, given the strength of the opposition of NGOs to the continuance of any trade in ivory, it could lay us open to wide-spread public criticism. I therefore suggest that we should speak for Hong Kong at the Conference, but if the Community oppose the Secretariat's Resolution to allow trade in existing stocks of ivory, we should abstain from voting. I should be grateful for your agreement to this course.
Yours Sincerely
If Bishop
(Agread by the Munster and signed
X
in his absence).
The Hon William Waldegrave MP