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position of the African elephant.
DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
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But,
8.
In normal circumstances Hong Kong's ivory dealers
would need two years and the ivory carvers five years to
dispose of their stocks. The Hong Kong Government are
therefore under considerable pressure to seek a far
longer period of reservation than six months.
taking into account the views of the international
community, I consider that six months is the minimum
period necessary for them to contain local pressures and
thus to ensure compliance with the CITES ban in the
longer term.
9.
We need to act urgently on this. The longer the
ivory traders in Hong Kong go on in the belief, however
mistaken, that their interests will be preserved either
by an international buy out or a lengthy period of
reservation, the more they can legitimately claim
sympathy and support for compensation demands when the
shutter finally comes down. I would be happy to discuss
this matter in greater detail if you feel an earl/
meeting would be useful.
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