CITES DEMARCHE DELIVERED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DAR ES SALAAM 000693 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS OES/ETC FOR ROWENA WATSON; AF/E FOR BARBARA YODER; ADDIS FOR LISA BRODEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV KSCA ETRD TZ SUBJECT: CITES DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: A. STATE 57912 ¶B. STATE 59536 ¶1. This is an action request. See paragraph 12. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: The Government of Tanzania (GOT) is likely to support USG proposals to add the sawfish to Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and remove the bobcat from Appendix II. Although GOT officials requested more time to research the proposal to add pink and red corals to Appendix II, Tanzania law prohibits the harvesting and export of all corals from mainland Tanzania, indicating likely support of the proposal. GOT officials requested additional information regarding the USG proposal to list the Banggai cardinalfish and were unwilling to state a position regarding Document 36. Econoff met with Emmanuel L.M. Severre, Director of Wildlife, on May 9, and with Geofrey F. Nanyaro, Director of Fisheries, on May 10; heads of their respective divisions within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. END SUMMARY Bobcat Proposal ¶3. (U) The GOT position regarding the proposal to delist the bobcat Lynx rufus from Appendix II depends on the presentation and "if done properly, we are likely to agree with the US," said Severre. Severre anticipates the argument will center on the look-alike principle in general and will have implications for other species listed due to visual similarities to other listed species. Sawfish Proposal ¶4. (U) The sawfish population in Tanzania is "very, very low--too low" and there is "every reason to conserve this fish," according to Nanyaro, who added he personally has not seen this fish since 1975. After saying "by all means the sawfish deserves conservation and our protection," Nanyaro tempered his comment by stating the Fisheries Division would consult with the scientific authority, the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, and "if there is scientific justification to protect it, we wouldn't object." Both Nanyaro and Severre asked if the sawfish proposal was from the USG, the Government of Kenya, or both and Post requests clarification re same. (See action request in paragraph 12.) Red and Pink Corals Proposal ¶5. (U) At least some species of pink and red corals exist in Tanzanian waters, leading the GOT to consider carefully the USG proposal to add these corals to Appendix II. Nanyaro asked for more time to research, noting that Tanzania law prohibiting both the harvesting and export of any coral applies to mainland Tanzania but not to Zanzibar. Nanyaro said the Fisheries Division would consult with the Institute of Marine Sciences on Zanzibar in formulating a GOT position on this proposal. DAR ES SAL 00000693 002 OF 003 Other Marine Proposals ¶6. (U) The GOT has not yet formulated a position on the USG proposal to add the Banggai cardinalfish to Appendix II and requested additional information, beyond the text of the proposal, regarding same. The GOT also has not yet formulated positions on the proposals by the Government of Germany to add the spiny dogfish and the porbeagle to Appendix II. Document 36 Proposal ¶7. (U) The GOT "is aware of" the debate regarding the role of the CITES Secretariat and whether to state export quota status on export permits. This debate "started a long time ago," and "we will see how discussion evolves," Severre said with a firm air of non-commitment. Elephant Proposals ¶8. (U) The GOT is not agreeable to a 20-year moratorium on trade in raw or worked ivory, as proposed by Kenya, but has not developed a position regarding the various elephant proposals. The GOT "will keep an open mind," Severre said, as the Wildlife division consults with other offices in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to develop its position. Severre expects discussions regarding elephant proposals to be well-attended and hotly-debated, as usual. Request from GOT ¶9. (U) Severre strongly emphasized a request that the USG "kindly support proposals from Africa targeting sustainable use and peoples' livelihoods, to enable African states to address Millennium Development Goal 7" (i.e., to ensure environmental sustainability). When Econoff asked what specific proposals this referred to, Severre made only a vague reference to "some regarding sport hunting." Delegation ¶10. (U) The GOT will send a delegation of approximately eight officials from the Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife divisions of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, including Nanyaro and Severre. Either the Minister or the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism will lead the delegation. COMMENT ¶11. (SBU) Severre is a seasoned CITES COP veteran and very diplomatic, making clear through tone and facial expression, rather than words, when no additional information on a subject would be forthcoming. GOT officials in both the Fisheries and Wildlife Divisions were keen to know of Kenya's participation in the sawfish proposal. Nanyaro's intention to consult with the Institute of Marine Sciences on Zanzibar DAR ES SAL 00000693 003 OF 003 indicates a sensitivity to the mainland-Zanzibar relationship and recognizes that marine issues can be particularly delicate between them. Such consultations are likely to garner a cohesive GOT position. ACTION REQUEST ¶12. (U) Post would appreciate receiving: a. Additional information regarding the USG proposal to add the Banggai cardinalfish to Appendix II; b. Clarification that the proposal to add the sawfish to Appendix II is a joint proposal of the USG and the Government of Kenya; c. Guidance on the GOT's request that the USG support proposals from Africa targeting sustainable use and peoples' livelihoods, to enable African states to address Millennium Development Goal 7 (i.e., to ensure environmental sustainability); d. Updates on the USG position on the proposals by the Government of Germany to add the spiny dogfish and the porbeagle to Appendix II; and e. Updates on the USG position on the various proposals regarding elephants. RETZER