UNCLASSIFIED
HKCISI
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
29 JAN 1990
Enter + P129
026234 MDLOAN 23 54
UNCLASSIFIED
FM FCO
TO PRIORITY ANGUILLA
TELNO 15
OF 17170OZ JANUARY 90
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
AND TO PRIORITY HAMILTON, TORTOLA, GRAND CAYMAN, GRAND TURK AND TO PRIORITY PORT STANLEY, GIBRALTAR, PLYMOUTH
26
AFRICAN ELEPHANT IVORY: EXEMPTION OF HONG KONG FROM BAN ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR OTHER DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
1.
I ANNOUNCED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS TODAY, 17 JANUARY, THAT WE HAD ENTERED A SIX-MONTH RESERVATION ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG ON THE RE-LISTING OF THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT ON APPENDIX I OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES). THE RE-LISTING MEANS AN EFFECTIVE WORLD BAN ON COMMERCIAL TRADE IN IVORY AND THE RESERVATION WILL DELAY ITS INTRODUCTION IN HONG KONG SIX MONTHS BEYOND THE CITES IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF 18 JANUARY. THE PURPOSE OF THE RESERVATION IS TO ALLOW HONG KONG TO DISPOSE OF ITS LEGALLY-ACQUIRED STOCK OF 600 TONNES OF IVORY, AND TO ENABLE IVORY CARVERS AND WORKERS TO FIND ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT.
2. DEPENDENT TERRITORIES ARE NOT SEPARATELY PARTIES TO CITES. THEREFORE, UNDER CITES THE RESERVATION TECHNICALLY COVERS THE UK AND ALL BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES. WE HAVE, HOWEVER, MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE SHALL NOT APPLY THE RESERVATION TO THE UK OR TO ANY
OTHER DEPENDENT TERRITORY.
WE ARE SENDING YOU A GUIDANCE TELEGRAM CONTAINING A PRESS LINE AND FURTHER BACKGROUND.
3.
HURD
YYYY
}