[HONG KONG : IVORY]
CONFIDENTIAL
нис
Is
Ri
STRY
30 MAR 1990
1. The important point is that Hong Kong is legislation is on course. The discrepancy in the figures for the size of the stockpile and the fact that a quarter of the (reduced) current stockpile has no CITES documentation are a good deal less satisfactory. In mitigation, it should be recognised that Hong Kong's policing of the ivory trade has become much more rigorous since the CITES Conference than anyone thought necessary before it. It is very unlikely that any other country has controls to match those which Hong Kong has now introduced.
2.
It is perhaps worth repeating that, while HMG has overall responsibility for the territory, Hong Kong has full delegated authority to manage economic and trade matters on its own (as it will have after 1997 under the Joint Declaration). HMG only became involved at all because Hong Kong is not party to the CITES Convention and could not enter its own reservation.
3.
I agree with the drafts.
23 March 1990
выкары
RJT McLaren
TRY
aken
Cc:
Mr Bayne
Mr Slater
Mr Gillmore
Mr Beetham, MAED
Mr Edis, EAD
Mr Burns, News Dept
Mr Lidington
Mr Fraser Mr Paul, HKD
R1 26/
Miss Marsden
Mr Stoke 2713
25/3
M12AAF
CONFIDENTIAL
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