TNAG-2130-FCO40-3045-Hong-Kong-and-the-ivory-trade-1990 — Page 28

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Have H.K

HAVE HK BANNED FURTHER IMPORTS

I HOPE

IF 80

THEY WILL PREVENT ANY.

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banned for the

in pa

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ра

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корс

110

Gill

hyve they marant any

(Mr. Sainsbury)

Secretary of State

HONG KONG IVORY

-

FROM:

DATE:

CC:

Maurice Fraser

21 February 1990

PS/All Ministers Mr Paul, HKD

Mr Edis, EAD

Mr Beetham, MAED

Mr Burns, News Dept

Mr Evans, MAED Mr Lidington

1. Our reservation on behalf of Hong Kong has brought a predictable public outcry notably amongst many of our natural supporters. So far, the Department has received 197 letters from MPS on behalf of their constituents and 1123 letters direct from members of the public. There have also been a few petitions. No 10

has received nearly 1,000 letters. Many of the writers say they will break the habit of a lifetime by not voting Conservative at the next general election; others are giving up their party membership. I attach a few typical examples.

2. Dr Richard Leakey, Director of the Kenya Wildlife Service, gave interviews on BBC Radio 4 and LBC this morning, and directly attributed the loss of 25 elephants in Kenya last month to the

'freeing of the Hong Kong market' by HMG. He referred to large shipments of ivory suddenly leaving Tanzania and Kenya for Hong Kong, two of which, he says, have been intercepted. It would be helpful if EAD could check this, as we will need to deal with this charge.

3. Dr Leakey also made an appeal for lots of equipment, such as radios, vehicles, fences, etc. ODA already provide some assistance. for this purpose. We ought to consider whether more aid should be made available, and give it as high a publicity profile as possible if we

are to make up some of the lost ground.

Mr. Fraser

HKD, MARD (this p.only).

a

to see Minista's comments /query

above.

M/ PS/M Samisting

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MF

MAURICE FRASER Special Adviser