CONFIDENTIAL
HKO
20
From the Private Secretary
10 DOWNING STREET
LONDON SWIA ZAA HKCISII RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
11 JAN 1990
DESK OFFICER.
INDEX
Action Taken
Pelottes Chatter
វ
Mga Gallimore M. Bayne
Mr McLareA
15 January 1990
HONG KONG AND THE IVORY TRADE
MAED
News
Mrs Birrett, Legen Mr Lidington.
Advisers
And 15/1
The Prime Minister has seen the latest exchange of correspondence between your Secretary of State and the Foreign Secretary on the case for a six month moratorium for Hong Kong before implementng the ban on trade in ivory. She thinks that we must enter a reservation on Hong Kong's behalf. She notes that your Secretary of State accepts that Hong Kong's case is a reasonable one. The fact that imports of ivory to Hong Kong will be banned immediately should help gain understanding for the colony's particular difficulties. For more general reasons, she does not believe that we can add to those difficulties at present, even if the price is some criticism of the United Kingdom.
The Prime Minister therefore supports the Foreign Secretary's intention to enter a reservation on Hong Kong's behalf, and hopes that both departments will make a concerted effort in briefing the media to explain the reasons for it.
I am copying this letter to Richard Gozney (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) and to Sir Robin Butler.
Roger Bright, Esq.,
Department of the Environment.
C.D. POWELL
CONFIDENTIAL