CONFIDENTIAL
HKCISI/1
Secretary of State
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HONG KONG AND THE IVORY TRADE
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David Lidington
21 November 1989
PS/Mr Waldegrave PS/Mr Maude PS/PUS
Mr Bayne
Mr Gillmore
Mr Carrick Mr McLaren
Mr Beetham, MAED
Mr Burns, News Mr Edwards, Legal
Advisers
Mr Paul, Hong Kong
Dept
Mr Yeo
319
1. You asked for comments on Mr Paul's submission of 17 November. I have discussed this subject with Mr Fraser and the comments below come from us both.
2.
It would damage this Government's reputation both domestically and internationally were we now to seem to wriggle out of
international commitments which we had taken a lead in establishing.
3. Ministers could expect very severe media criticism if a reservation is entered on behalf of Hong Kong.
4.
Is ivory really a big issue of confidence between Hong Kong and Britain?
5.
What guarantee can there be that the Legislative Council will agree to enact legislation to come into effect automatically after six months? Might we not face in six month's time further protests - from Hong Kong ivory traders and demands for an additional delay?
6. Will not entering a reservation on behalf of Hong Kong put at risk the implementation of the entire Convention by giving ivory traders in other developing countries the chance to cry "foul"?
7.
The lack of a reservation might indeed drive part of the ivory trade underground. But surely this will happen to some extent whenever the Convention is implemented? At least implementation might allow illegally-held stocks to be impounded.
Anna Danby
David Lidington
Rp Special Adviser
CONFIDENTIAL
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