TNAG-2129-FCO40-3044-Hong-Kong-and-the-ivory-trade-1990 — Page 33

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CONFIDENTIAL

TALKING POINTS

SECRETARY BAKER AND SECRETARY LUJAN WERE QUITE PLEASED WITH THE DECISION TAKEN AT THE SEVENTH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES) TO LIST THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT ON APPENDIX I AND HALT COMMERCIAL TRADE

IN ELEPHANT PRODUCTS.

ALTHOUGH THE CITES CONFERENCE ACHIEVED CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS, CERTAIN DEVELOPMENTS AT THE MEETING REENFORCED THE SENSE THAT SOMETHING IS AMISS WITH THE CITES SECREARIAT. IN PARTICULAR, WE QUESTION THAT THE SECRETARY GENERAL HAS BEEN SHOWING THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP AND JUDGMENT WHICH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEEDS AND EXPECTS IN THE FIELD OF INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION.

JUST AS DISTURBING IS THE ACTIVE, PUBLIC LOBBYING CAMPAIGN IN FAVOR OF CONTINUED IVORY TRADE IMPLEMENTED BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL. WHILE HE HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY UNDER THE CONVENTION TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PARTIES ON PROPOSALS, SOME VIEW HIM AS OVERLY PROACTIVE. GIVEN THE INTENSE DEBATE OVER THE ELEPHANT ISSUE, THE SECRETARY GENERAL'S DECISION TO TAKE A HIGH-PROFILE POSITION ON ONE SIDE CALLS INTO QUESTION YET AGAIN HIS JUDGMENT.

WE FEAR THAT THE SECRETARY GENERAL'S ACTIVITIES COULD UNDERMINE THE GAINS RECENTLY MADE IN CONGRESS WHICH RESULTED IN INCREASED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CITES. WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ISSUE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. OUR CONCERN IS THAT THE ORGANIZATION NOT BE DAMAGED OVER THIS ISSUE, BUT WE CANNOT PREDICT HOW THE CONSERVATION COMMUNITY IN THE US WILL RESPOND.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS FACING NEW, EVER MORE CHALLENGING AND COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING THE AREA OF WILDLIFE TRADE. THE TIMES REQUIRE A STRONG WILL AND NEW IDEAS. THE SECRETARY GENERAL HAS BEEN IN OFFICE FOR

SEVEN YEARS

AND IT IS PROBABLY TIME FOR A CHANGE.

CONFIDENTIAL