Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DARESSALAAM693
2007-05-14 03:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
how-toVZCZCXRO3755 PP RUEHDBU RUEHKN RUEHMJ RUEHPA DE RUEHDR #0693/01 1340330 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 140330Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6134 INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 3185 RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 0003 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0018 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 0336 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0018 RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN PRIORITY 0118 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY 0004 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 0007 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 0223 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI PRIORITY 0005 RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA PRIORITY 0017 RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON PRIORITY 0130 RUEHKN/AMEMBASSY KOLONIA PRIORITY 0001 RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR PRIORITY 0020 RUEHMJ/AMEMBASSY MAJURO PRIORITY 0001 RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA PRIORITY 0038 RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT PRIORITY 0040 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0078 RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE PRIORITY 0020 RUEHPA/AMEMBASSY PRAIA PRIORITY 0004 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 0009 RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO PRIORITY 0002 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 0178 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 1061 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0116 RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PRIORITY 0034 RUEHYE/AMEMBASSY YEREVAN PRIORITY 0010 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY
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
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
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