Demarche Delivered: U.S. Proposals for CITES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 WINDHOEK 000116 SENSITIVE SIPDIS OES/ENRC FOR LLOYD GAMBLE, AF/S FOR PHAEDRA GWYN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV FWS WA KSCA AORC UNEP SUBJECT: Demarche Delivered: U.S. Proposals for CITES REF: REF A) 10 STATE 6668; REF B) 09 STATE 125262 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. Emboff met with representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR),who will be delegates to the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP-15) for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Doha, Qatar. Per demarche instructions (Ref A),talking points were delivered and feedback specifically solicited on U.S. proposals regarding sharks, bobcats, and the international snake trade. Government representatives expressed no direct opposition to U.S. proposals for COP-15, but also pledged no direct support. However, Namibia expressed support for Zambia's proposal to move elephants from Appendix I to Appendix II, and opposition to Monaco's proposal to list Atlantic Bluefin Tuna in Appendix I. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On February 1, Emboff met with Louisa Mupetami (Director, Directorate of Scientific Services) and Elly Hamunyela (Chief Conservation Scientist, Office of Wildlife Trade and Permit Control) of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET). Both confirmed that they would be attending COP-15, noting that the final list of delegates would not be finalized for several weeks. Mupetami stated that the Permanent Secretary would lead the delegation and the Minsiter would also attend. She noted, however, that a new permanent secretary and minister could be named in March as a result of Namibia's recent presidential elections. On February 3, Emboff met with Dr. Moses Maurihungirire, Director of Resource Management, Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR),who also confirmed he will be a delegate to COP-15. Responses to specific U.S. proposals follow. -------------- - SNAKE TRADE EVALUATION -------------- - ¶3. (U) Hamunyela commented that the joint U.S./China proposal for evaluating the sustainability of the Asian snake trade is "harmless," in that it imposes no restrictions on Namibia and is not expected to encroach upon any of the country's direct interests. Mupetami agreed, adding that she could foresee no reason to oppose it. -------------- -------------- BOBCAT/ELEPHANT DOWNGRADES -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) Similarly, Hamunyela and Mupetami saw no reason to oppose the deletion of the Bobcat (Lynx rufus) from Appendix II of CITES, in light of the fact that fur trade in the species is well-managed and the increasing population is not under serious threat. ¶5. (U) Following this same logic, Mupetami further asserted that proper management of trade in certain African animal species is justification for changes in the CITES listing for those species as well. Specifically, she expressed support for a Zambian proposal to downgrade elephant species from Appendix I to Appendix II, and opposition to a Kenyan proposal for a 20 year "moratorium" on any new proposals related to these species. -------------- SHARK SPECIES ADDITIONS -------------- WINDHOEK 00000116 002 OF 002 ¶6. (U) Dr. Maurihungirire stated that he had not read the details of the joint U.S./Palau proposals, but that Namibia would not support them "blindly." He stated that, in general, the MFMR withholds support for proposals that add new species to the CITES list when the proposals have not been evaluated and endorsed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). FAO endorsement would not ensure Namibia's support, but he indicated that an endorsement would garner "more positive consideration." Taking notice of the six shark species included in the U.S. proposals, Maurihungirire noted that only one - the Dusky Shark (Carcharinus obscurus) - "may exist" in Southern African waters, but noted the species had no commercial significance. In light of this, he felt the proposal could be opened for discussion, contingent upon FAO support. ¶7. (SBU) During the meeting, Maurihungirire asserted his government's opposition to the proposal from Monaco for listing Atlantic Bluefin Tuna in Appendix I. He noted that the bluefin is not commercially important for Namibia, but is harvested as bycatch. His government's concern is that a CITES listing of the species may seriously impede fishing operations in the southwest Atlantic. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (U) Emboff noted no strong opposition to any U.S. proposals, and no direct Namibian interests conflict with the U.S. proposals. In both meetings, GRN officials suggested follow up in a few weeks to further discuss proposals submitted for the CITES meeting. To date, Namibia has not officially sponsored or submitted any proposals for COP-15. MATHIEU