I also agree that we should allow Hong Kong's case to be put to the Conference and that we should if necessary abstain if the Community votes against the CITES Secretariat Resolution. I believe that to allow trade in existing legal stocks from Hong Kong would not compromise our wider conservation interests in the light of the new, tougher, measures which the Hong Kong Government have introduced to monitor the movement and possession of ivory within the Colony. That said, I agree also that we should not vote against Community consensus to oppose the Secretariat Resolution. We would find this very difficult to justify in the House and in the country. Given the current degree of sensitivity in Hong Kong about the degree of support it is receiving from the UK, particularly after the Tianenmen Square massacre and subsequent controversy over the question of British nationality for Hong Kong citizens, we could not vote against Hong Kong on an issue of such importance to the Colony. The only real option would be abstention, which we believe would be understood by Hong Kong.
David Trippier RD JP MP
Minister of State
Department of the Environment
2 Marsham Street
LONDON SW1P 3EB
The Hon William Waldegrave
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