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6. The Hong Kong members of the UK delegation were given the
opportunity to present their case at the Conference but the general
mood of the Conference was strongly opposed to any continued trade.
Department of Environment and FCO Ministers agreed before the
Conference that the UK would abstain in the vote on the Resolution
which would have allowed continued trade in existing stocks.
the then Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister confirmed during
the Conference that we should stick to that line despite active
lobbying from the Department of the Environment to change our
position and vote against the Resolution.
Both
7. Following the defeat of this Resolution, the Hong Kong
Government have been considering urgently what can be done to
alleviate the difficulties of those employed in the ivory trade.
There is no legal liability on the Hong Kong Government to pay
compensation to those affected. But the Hong Kong Government is under considerable political pressure from the ivory trade to pursue the idea of international compensation or at least, to secure a
realistic breathing space which would enable dealers to dispose of
their existing stocks. The Hong Kong Government's position is
complicated by the fact that it depends on the approval of the
Legislative Council to pass the necessary legislation to implement
the ban. On 7 November the Executive Council decided formally to
request HMG:
a)
to pursue the establishment of an international buy-out fund,
sponsored by the major CITES parties before the 90 day CITES grace
period expires on 18 January 1990 or,
b) failing that, to enter a short term reservation on Hong Kong's
behalf to remain in force for a period of six months after the
expiry of the 90 day grace period in order to allow sufficient time
for the traders to dispose of their existing businesses and for a
re-training scheme for ivory craftsmen to be established.
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