Mr Paul, HKD
CONFIDENTIAL
Hong Kong and the Ivory Trade
The Secretary of State has seen Mr Patten's letter of 18 December and the Prime Minister's comments in Mr Powell's letter of 19 December.
The Secretary of State wants to speak to Mr Patten about the issue. It would be helpful to have a short note summarising the main arguments.
The Secretary of State is concerned about the timing point raised by Mr Lidington, ie the damage which the six month moratorium will do to Hong Kong's standing in this country at a time when we are going to have to use maximum persuasion on the nationality package. Perhaps you could let me know when the Convention comes into forces and what the timing of any announcement of the moratorium would be.
19 December 1989
CC: PS/Mr Maude
PS/Mr Waldegrave
Mr Gillmore
Mr Bayne
Mr McLaren
MAED
Mr Lidington
HKCISI
RECEIVED IN 'REGISTRY
17 JAN 1990
REGISTRY
Aution Taken
CONFIDENTIAL
Shan
(J S Wall)
34