TNAG-1957-FCO40-2786-Hong-Kong-Animals-and-Plants-(Protection-of-Endangered-Speci-1989 — Page 167

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MDHIAN 2487

7. 5(C) MAY NOT BE STRAIGHT-FORWARD AS WE ARE DEPENDENT ON THE LEGISLATURE TO APPROVE THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE LEGISLATURE MAY WELL INSIST ON A GRACE PERIOD IN THE LEGISLATION THUS, IN EFFECT, ACHIEVING THE RESULTS OF ENTERING A RESERVATION. THIS IS A MOST UNDESIRABLE SCENARIO WHICH WE

MUST SEEK TO AVOID.

8. WE ARE CONCIOUS THAT ENVIRONMENTAL INTERESTS WILL NOT VIEW FAVOURABLY ANY SIGNIFICANT DEPARTURE FROM THE 90 DAY DEADLINE. GIVEN, HOWEVER, OUR PARTICULAR PROBLEMS WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE ONLY PRACTICAL WAY FORWARD IS EITHER FOR THE EARLY ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR BUYING OUT OUR EXISTING STOCKS: OR FOR HONG

KONG TO BE GIVEN MORE TIME TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS AS SET OUT IN PARA. 5 ABOVE AND WHICH ULTIMATELY WILL SECURE BETTER COMPLIANCE WITH THE BAN. WE THEREFORE ENVISAGE A RESERVATION VALID FOR SIX MONTHS ON THE EXPIRY OF WHICH HONG KONG WILL UNDERTAKE TO COMPLY FULLY WITH THE CITES RESOLUTION. THIS SHOULD GIVE THE TRADE TIME TO ADJUST (UNDER STRICTLY ENFORCED CONTROLS) AND ALLOW US TO PUT THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION AND RETRAINING PROGRAMME IN PLACE.

WILSON

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ΜΑΙΝ

45

LIMITED

HKD

MAED

NEWS DEPT

PS

PS/PUS

ADDITIONAL

2

MR GREEN DRA/DOE

NNNN

DISTRIBUTION

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PS/MR WALDEGRAVE

PS/MR MAUDE

MR BAYNE

MR GILLMORE

MR SLATER

MR MCLAREN

MR BUNCE DOE BRISTOL

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