TNAG-1956-FCO40-2785-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 163

989-09-24 09:32

FSB GS

For Japan only

ام سي

852 5 868 4679 P.01

[7.

We understand that the Japanese authorities have

decided to impose a moratorium on all ivory save raw ivory

from African producing countries and that it will submit a

reservation at the CITES meeting in October to enable it to

continue this trade should the African elephant be up-listed

to Appendix I. While Hong Kong shares Japan's concerns about

the conservation of the African elephant and understands the

motivation behind these decisions, we hope that the Japanese

Government will reconsider its decision with relation to the

strictly limited stocks of worked and raw ivory currently held

in Hong Kong. As has been explained these stocks were all

imported from CITES approved sources. For its part Hong Kong

will ensure that existing stocks are strictly controlled.".

23.8.89 (W! 078 HY!