TNAG-2131-FCO40-3046-Hong-Kong-and-the-ivory-trade-1990 — Page 58

CONFIDENTIAL

1.

The important point is that Hong Kong's legislation is on course. The discrepancy in the figures for the size of the stockpile and the fact that a quarter of the (reduced) current stockpile has no CITES documentation are a good deal less satisfactory. In mitigation, it should be recognised that Hong Kong's policing of the ivory trade has become much more rigorous since the CITES Conference than anyone thought necessary before it. It is very unlikely that any other country has controls to match those which Hong Kong has now introduced.

2. It is perhaps worth repeating that, while HMG has overall responsibility for the territory, Hong Kong has full delegated authority to manage economic and trade matters on its own (as it will have after 1997 under the Joint Declaration). HMG only became involved at all because Hong Kong is not party to the CITES Convention and could not enter its own reservation.

3.

I agree with the drafts.

23 March 1990

Cc:

Mr Bayne

Mr Slater

Mr Gillmore

Mr Beetham, MAED

Mr Edis, EAD

Mr Burns, News Dept

Mr Lidington

Mr Fraser

Mr Paul, HKD

M12AAF

CONFIDENTIAL

вывтори

RJT McLaren