CONFIDENTIAL
2 MARSHAM STREET
LONDON SW1P 3EB
01-276 3000
My ref:
Your ref:
SECRETARY OF STATE
FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
The Rt Hon Douglas Hurd MP
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Downing Street
LONDON
SW1A 2AL
Dear Foreign Secute
fouil
HONG KONG AND THE IVORY TRADE
HKCIJI
1
RECEIV !! REGISTRY
17 JAN 1990
DESK OFFIC INDEX
REGISTRY
Action Taken
12
January 1990
Thank you for your letter of 11 January. I am grateful for the efforts you have made to try to find a satisfactory solution to this difficult question.
I fully understand the arguments for entering a reservation on behalf of Hong Kong. In practical terms I accept that it would provide a reasonable breathing space to allow Hong Kong to get its house in order before falling fully into line with CITES - although, given the general acceptance of a total ban on trade, I do rather wonder where they hope to be able to dispose of their stocks.
It is already clear however from media reports and the volume of correspondence I have received on this issue that to do so would lead to an international outcry. It is widely felt that allowing the Hong Kong stocks to enter trade would create a loophole through which further amounts of illegally taken ivory could be laundered and would undermine the decision to ban trade. For us to enter a reservation to allow this to happen would be seen as reneging on our commitment to conserving the African elephant. We would lose much of our credit which we have deservedly earned in the international community for our stand on this issue at a time when I believe we should be doing our utmost to enhance our environmental credentials.
I fear therefore that I must urge you again to reconsider.
I am sending a copy of this letter to Sir Robin Butler.
Yours sinceul
PP.
CHRIS PATTEN
(Approved by the Secretary of State and signed in his absence)
CONFIDENTIAL