FILE: Ban on elephant ivory to be discussed at CITES conference The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) conference begins in Johannesburg Saturday, looking at the trade in elephant ivory. Namibia and Zimbabwe want the ban lifted so they can sell stockpiles and fund community elephant conservation initiatives. The radical move contradicts proposals put forward by a coalition of 29 other African countries that want a complete end to ivory trade. FILE IMAGES of elephants