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trade and provide an incentive for poaching.
They will now no doubt step up their attack. Ministers have up to now replied that 'Hong Kong has already imposed a ban on all imports of ivory, which will ensure that there is no loophole for the entry of illegal ivory onto the market. So there will be no joy for the poachers'.
3. Leakey's allegation that the simple knowledge that ivory can be exported from Hong Kong has encouraged poachers will give us difficulty. However, we should continue to point out the existence of the total import ban and the other controls introduced by Hong Kong. As Leakey suggests, the problem appears to be one of misinformation circulating amongst poachers,
There have not in fact been any exports of ivory from Hong Kong since the Reservation was entered and there is no logical reason for a Hong Kong trader to want to risk illegally importing more ivory. Nevertheless we need to be on our guard and as a first step we have asked our posts in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam for views. And if it is found that the
elephants were shot to provide ivory for Hong Kong, with or without the knowledge of Hong Kong traders, then our defence that the Reservation is no threat to living elephants will be extremely difficult to maintain. News Department have been told by the Press that not only is Hong Kong clearly indicated as the destination of the ivory but that those apprehended by the Kenyans and Tanzanians have confirmed this. We have alerted Hong Kong and asked them for comments on the transcript of Dr Leakey's interview. We are considering whether we should ask Leakey to provide evidence indicating a Hong Kong connection.
4. Leakey is giving another interview on the 'PM' programme today. As agreed, News Department have turned down a request for an FCO Minister to give an interview and are sticking under pressure to the agreed press line.
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E J Hughes
Maritime, Aviation and
Environment Department