TNAG-2129-FCO40-3044-Hong-Kong-and-the-ivory-trade-1990 — Page 66

UNCLASSIFIED

HKCISI

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

29 JAN 1990

Enter + P129

026234 MDLOAN 23 54

UNCLASSIFIED

FM FCO

TO PRIORITY ANGUILLA

TELNO 15

OF 17170OZ JANUARY 90

DESK OFFICER

REGISTRY

PA

Action Taken

AND TO PRIORITY HAMILTON, TORTOLA, GRAND CAYMAN, GRAND TURK AND TO PRIORITY PORT STANLEY, GIBRALTAR, PLYMOUTH

26

AFRICAN ELEPHANT IVORY: EXEMPTION OF HONG KONG FROM BAN ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR OTHER DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

1.

I ANNOUNCED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS TODAY, 17 JANUARY, THAT WE HAD ENTERED A SIX-MONTH RESERVATION ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG ON THE RE-LISTING OF THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT ON APPENDIX I OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES). THE RE-LISTING MEANS AN EFFECTIVE WORLD BAN ON COMMERCIAL TRADE IN IVORY AND THE RESERVATION WILL DELAY ITS INTRODUCTION IN HONG KONG SIX MONTHS BEYOND THE CITES IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF 18 JANUARY. THE PURPOSE OF THE RESERVATION IS TO ALLOW HONG KONG TO DISPOSE OF ITS LEGALLY-ACQUIRED STOCK OF 600 TONNES OF IVORY, AND TO ENABLE IVORY CARVERS AND WORKERS TO FIND ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT.

2. DEPENDENT TERRITORIES ARE NOT SEPARATELY PARTIES TO CITES. THEREFORE, UNDER CITES THE RESERVATION TECHNICALLY COVERS THE UK AND ALL BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES. WE HAVE, HOWEVER, MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE SHALL NOT APPLY THE RESERVATION TO THE UK OR TO ANY

OTHER DEPENDENT TERRITORY.

WE ARE SENDING YOU A GUIDANCE TELEGRAM CONTAINING A PRESS LINE AND FURTHER BACKGROUND.

3.

HURD

YYYY

}