TNAG-1956-FCO40-2785-Trade-of-rare-and-endangered-species-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 25

-7-1989

08:55

HOTEL BELLERIVE LAUSANNE

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

0041 21 273129

сс

P.01

Mo Holigut AtCD (289 H Ms Evies

مند

Lender SVX1A2AHX UNITED KINGDOM DELEGATION TO CITES LAUSANNE

John Hughes Esc

Maritime, Aviation and

FCO

Environment Department

Dea

Telephone 01-

Back to me

PlaceAR

17 October 1989

Your reference

Our reference

Date

HKC

ར་ཚོགས་་..

three ques

ons you asked me last

Here

night:

John

are the answers to th

enter

&LH

17/10

Mr Store 17/10

ver/10/00 M. Gard.

1) a resolution has no legal force, and states are free to implement it as they think fit although there

is no doubt that there is a moral commitment if a resolution is passed at Conference. In the case of 5.11 which was passed at the previous conference this is implemented in the UK by administrative measures, rather like those used when we announced a total ban on imported ivory in June. If we were to take any political decision not to implement 5.11 in respect of the African elephant (ignoring the political consequences) we would simply not introduce the administrative measures to implement it. But whether or not the producer countries woula be able to continue trade would depend on the attitude of the largest consumers and how they decided to implement 5.11.

we

·

2) if we wanted to enter a reservation on Appendix I listing

would have 90 days under CITES to do so, irrespective of any decision to remove the 90 day grace period on coming into force of Appendix I.

3) Tony Clark of HK Gov says that he has been kept informed by DOE on abstention strategy; but HKD have not been in touch with him.

He is content that we abstain, and is pleased that we have given EK a chance to put their case to the Conference. He has no criticism of way UK delegation has treated HK at CITES. One bone of contention though is 90 day UK resolution, although . effect of this appears to be less than previously envisaged, since he tells me that EXCO in HK would have to legislate on this and would probably not be able to do so within 90 day period anyway; also pointed out that UK resolution only a recommendation to states. On question of reservation and compensation he says that traders already asked him to ask us to enter reservation. He told them that no way UK would do so but expects to be asked again on return to HK: HK Gov will then pass question to

On compensation, in view of timescale for introduction of legislation in HK question of compens- ation now appears to be receding. I should point out that this is only opinion of Tony, and therefore no guarantee of what will happen; furthermore time prevented a more detailed discussion between us last night. But my overriding impression is one of general content-

ent, as least as far as RK Gov are concerned.

us.

Selai