D. H. Gillmore, Esq
HKCISI/1
Superintendent Under Secretary HKC
Hong Kong Department
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Downing Street
London SW1A 2AL
CHILTERN FOLD
SOUTHEND COMMON
HENLEY on THAMES
Oxon. RG9 6JP
27th May 1989
Dear Mr. Gillmore,
I feel you must be in a position to convey public
sentiment in Great Britain to the Government of Hong Kong, and I believe that they and their population feel themselves in turn very much part of the Commonwealth and as having strong links with this country.
May I therefore ask you to make it clear to those in
government that the ivory trade which they are permitting to exist, both in legal and illegal forms, and which provides a market patently stimulating the demand for ivory which is swiftly leading to the extinction of the African elephant, is utterly abhorrent to all of us in Great Britain.
That the activities of one clearly identified rich man go on unchecked, and are causing so much destruction of splendid animal life besides robbing poor African countries of their small natural wealth, simply to increase his millions, enrich his attendant thugs and hangers-on, and presumably augment his power, is purely and simply revolting. It also presents Hong Kong's present moral standards as so unacceptable that, come 1997, no one here will much mind seeing it go under Communist rule it could not be more repellent than this capitalism and corruption run riot. There isn't even the need for anyone to lose a job: the craftsmen could turn their skills to carving beautiful woods or stones for the tourist trade.
Please see that this message reaches the right ears.
It would be sad to see a permanent breach between Hong Kong and the mother country, but unless the ivory trade is suppressed, that could well happen.
Mr Paul
Yours sincerely,
Mayoret Drage
MARGARET DRAGE
Grateful for draft vyply please.
2/215
Miss khist
Drast please
W %
99
2
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.