we were to speak for the proposal and then vote against it. The logical course of action in this instance would be to
abstain. I understand from Legal Branch that such action would be acceptable to the Commission and would not jeopardize the negotiations mentioned in the paragraph above.
11. At this stage, it is difficult to predict exactly what the position will be at the Conference. We are, however, meeting with the representatives from Hong Kong on 31 August and they will no doubt wish to know our position and what we intend to say at the Conference. In the light of the above I would suggest that we should indicate to Hong Kong that we are prepared to put their case to the conference but that depending on the Community position we may wish to abstain
on the vote. We should also point out that this is not a fixed position and we may be forced to revise it in the light of circumstances. In particular our support would be dependent on Hong Kong's devising a suitably stringent control system, which they have so far failed to do.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION
12.
We therefore have the following principal options:
(土) support Appendix I listing with no trade in existing stocks being permitted, and no exceptions for southern African elephant populations; or
(11)
support Appendix I but with trade in existing legal stocks of ivory being allowed to continue, and the exclusion of particular populations being sustainably managed, subject to a watertight system of controls to prevent the "laundering" of illegal ivory
(iii)
support retention of the African elephant on Appendix II to the Convention.