TNAG-1954-FCO40-2783-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 163

RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 1895

OF 090325Z JUNE 89

HKC 151/1

¿ isia d A

77

174063 MDHIAN 8391

HONG KONG AND THE IVORY TRADE

FURTHER TO OUR TELNO 1852 WE HAVE CONCLUDED OUR REVIEW. SINCE HONG KING IS THE LARGEST IVORY TRADING CENTRE WE HAVE CONSIDERABLE

STOCKS WHICH HAVE BEEN LEGALLY OBTAINED AND ARE LEGALLY HELD. A BAN

ON THE IMPORT OF THIS IVORY, AS APPEARS POSSIBLE FROM ANNOUNCEMENTS ALREADY MADE BY CERTAIN OF OUR TRADING PARTNERS (E.G. FRANCE, USA), WILL GIVE US DIFFICULTIES. WE WOULD OPPOSE SUCH A BAN AND WOULD NEED TO DISCUSS FURTHER IN THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM.

2.

THAT SAID, WE ACCEPT THAT TRADE IN NEW IVORY, AT PRESENT LEVELS, IS NOT SUSTAINABLE AND WILL LEAD TO THE DEMISE OF THE AFRICAN

ELEPHANT. WE THEREFORE SUPPORT THE INTRODUCTION OF A BAN IN THE TRADE OF NEW IVORY AND THE UPGRADING OF THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT TO CITES APPENDIX I. WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY.

Su later reservations abont

by grinding

3. THE DAF HAS POWERS TO IMPOSE SUCH A BAN UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.

-

THIS PUTS US ON ALL FOURS WITH THE UK UNLESS YOU INTEND TO

IMPOST A BAN PRIOR TO THE CITES MEETING IN OCTOBER PARA. 3 OF MY TELNO 1803.

4.

FORD

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