TNAG-1955-FCO40-2784-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 135

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MDHOAN 4089

EFFECTS ON LOCAL EMPLOYMENT. WE SHALL LISTEN CAREFULLY TO ALL THE ARGUMENTS PUT FORWARD IN INTERNATIONAL DISCUSSIONS BY ALL CONCERNED, PARTICULARLY THOSE COUNTRIES WHERE ELEPHANT STOCKS ARE NOT/NOT IN DANGER. HOWEVER, AT THIS STAGE OUR VIEW REMAINS THAT ALLOWING ANY TRADE IN IVORY WILL PROVIDE LOOPHOLES FOR POACHERS TO EXPLOIT. THE DOE HAVE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE UK/EC BAN

DOES NOT/NOT PREVENT ZIMBABWE OR BOTSWANA FROM CULLING AND CONTINUING INTERNAL TRADE, THOUGH WE SUSPECT THAT INTERNAL TRADE MAY ONLY REPRESENT A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE OVERALL BUSINESS.

(ARE THERE ANY FIGURES AVAILABLE?).

4.

THE AFRICAN STATES INVOLVED WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO AIR

THEIR VIEWS AT THE MEETING OF THE CITES AFRICAN ELEPHANT WORKING GROUP FROM 4-8 JULY IN GABORONE. NON-AFRICAN PARTICIPANTS IN THE GROUP INCLUDE THE US, JAPAN AND OURSELVES. WE HAVE BRIEFED THE UK REPRESENTATIVE (CHRISTOPHER FOLLAND OF DOE) TO MAKE A SPECIAL

POINT OF EXPLAINING OUR POSITION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF

ZIMBABWE AND BOTSWANA.

YOU HAVE DISCRETION TO DRAW SELECTIVELY ON THE

POINTS SET OUT IN PARAGRAPHS 2 AND 3 ABOVE IN RESPONSE TO

ENQUIRIES/CRITICISM.

5.

(FOR GABORONE)

FOLLAND WILL ARRIVE ON SUNDAY 2 JULY AND

WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO CALL ON THE HIGH COMMISSIONER ON 3 JULY.

HE WILL MAKE CONTACT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER ARRIVAL.

6.

HOWE

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

112

LIMITED

MAED

CAFD

OADS

SAD

HKD

ECD (E)

NAD

EAD

DISTRIBUTION

115

NENAD

PS/PUS

PS/MRS CHALKER

PS/LORD GLENARTHUR

PS/MR EGGAR

PS/SIR J FRETWELL

MR TOMKYS

MR BAYNE

MR FAIRWEATHER

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