TNAG-1954-FCO40-2783-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 34

7. UK has long been providing help for wildlife conservation to African countries including Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Also providing

assistance under the Joint Funding Scheme for Cameroon, Liberia and Zambia and contributing £1.2 million to WWF for activities to conserve natural forests, which are important wildlife habitats.

8. We are ready to discuss with African governments further support for wildlife conservation including measures to protect elephants.

IF RAISED

COMPENSATION

9.

No plans to offer "compensation" to African countries affected by ban. Some financial loss likely in the short-term, but should be balanced against long-term losses in tourist income such countries would African Governments called for suffer if elephants continue to be lost.

ban.

(IF PRESSED)

10. Issue for international community, not single donor country.

SAS

11.

Also heard the rumour that HMG will be giving "SAS" training to Kenya to help stop poaching. Not Government practice to discuss special forces matters but, off-the-record, no truth in it at all.

HONG KONG

12. Hong Kong Government share our concern and have already suspended the issue of new import licences in resepct of raw ivory from all sources pending the outcome of the CITES conference.