TNAG-2129-FCO40-3044-Hong-Kong-and-the-ivory-trade-1990 — Page 111

CONFIDENTIAL

HKCISI

RECEIVED IN/REGISTRY

17 JAN 1990

2901.

Mr Paul, HKD

DESK OFFICER

REGISTRY

Action Taken

Mr Haley

Wo

6

Hong Kong and the Ivory Trade

The Secretary of State has seen your submission of

5 January. He does not have much sympathy with Hong Kong's arguments which illustrate the inflexibility of our relation- ship with them. He thinks that it is unfortunate that it is public knowledge in Hong Kong that HMG have been asked to enter a reservation. He reluctantly accepts that in the circumstances it is best to enter a reservation (and understands that DOE officials are resigned to this anyway following the Prime Minister's intervention).

The Secretary of State would be grateful for a minute to Mr Patten stressing in particular two points in your draft speaking note:

(a) the point that it is an important step forward that Hong Kong is prepared to ban all trade in ivory;

(b) that we have a duty to act on Hong Kong's behalf

because Hong Kong is unable to enter a reservation itself.

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

17 JAN 1990

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

AHOTHY Action Taken

8 January-

CC:

(R N Peirce)

PS/Mr Waldegrave

PS/Mr Maude

Mr Gillmore

Mr Bayne

Mr

McLaren

Mr Beetham,

MAED

Mr Burns, News Dept

Miss Barrett, Legal Advisers

Mr Lidington

CONFIDENTIAL