CONFIDENTIAL
it
1989. Following the introduction in January of a statutory
requirement for the registration of all commercial ivory stocks,
became clear that this estimate had been far too high. Part of the
difference was also due to the fact that some 50 tonnes had been
exported in the interim.
The position is further complicated by the fact the 116 tonnes
out of the total stockpile of 474 tonnes was found to have no CITES
documentation. The reason for this is that some of the ivory was
imported before CITES controls were introduced or had become
detached from its CITES documentation in the course of a number of
transactions. Although the Hong Kong authorities have found no
evidence that any of these stocks were illegally imported, they have
decided not to allow any ivory which does not have CITES
documentation to be exported from the territory. There is therefore
no possibility of any ivory which could conceivably have been
illegally acquired reaching the world market through Hong Kong.
I am copying this letter to OD (K) colleagues and to
Sir Robin Butler.
Douglas Hurd
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