TNAG-1953-FCO40-2782-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 80

UNCLASSIFIED

(47)

ра

121643

MDHOAN 1800

UNCLASSIFIED

FM FCO

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELNO 1105

OF 231225Z MAY 89

HKC 151/1

AND TO IMMEDIATE DAR ES SALAAM, WASHINGTON, UKREP BRUSSELS, NAIROBI INFO PRIORITY KAMPALA, CAPE TOWN EC POSTS

MIPT REFERS: ELEPHANT POACHING AND IVORY SMUGGLING

1. DOE ISSUED A PRESS STATEMENT ON 23 MAY IN WHICH LORD CAITHNESS SAID THAT HE WILL CALL FOR CONCERTED EUROPEAN SUPPORT FOR A TOTAL BAN AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING OF ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS ON 8 JUNE IN LUXEMBOURG'. LORD CAITHNESS

ALSO SAID:-

BEGINS

THE GOVERNMENT SHARES THE CONCERN THAT HAS BEEN EXPRESSED ABOUT THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT. WE ALREADY STRICTLY IMPLEMENT

CONTROLS ON THE IMPORT OF AFRICAN IVORY UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF

THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES). THESE CONTROLS INCLUDE THE SCRUPULOUS CHECKING OF DOCUMENTATION TO ENSURE THAT ONLY IVORY THAT HAS BEEN OBTAINED LEGALLY IS TRADED.

WE HAVE BEEN REVIEWING THE POSITION IN THE LIGHT OF GROWING

EVIDENCE OF THE DECLINE OF ELEPHANT POPULATIONS. I

HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM OFFICIAL BUSINESS IN KENYA

WHERE HE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE FOR MYSELF THE EXTENT OF

THE PROBLEM OF IVORY POACHING AND TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KENYA GOVERNMENT INCLUDING

MR RICHARD LEAKEY WHO HAS JUST BEEN APPOINTED TO TAKE CHARGE OF

CONSERVATION MATTERS THERE.

WE AND THOSE IN THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP)

WHO HAVE CARRIED OUT SURVEYS THROUGHOUT AFRICA NOW BELIEVE THAT

THERE IS A CLEAR CASE FOR BANNING ALL TRADE IN NEW ELEPHANT TUSKS

AT THE EARLIEST PRACTICAL OPPORTUNITY. EFFECTIVE ACTION CAN ONLY BE TAKEN INTERNATIONALLY AND THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE THAT ACTION WILL BE THE CITES CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER.

CONCERN HAS ALSO BEEN EXPRESSED ABOUT TRADE IN ILLEGAL IVORY

PASSING THROUGH KONG KONG. HONG KONG HAS ALWAYS COMPLIED FULLY

PAGE

1

UNCLASSIFIED