1.   Southern African countries were pushing for the right to sell stockpiled ivory at a conference beginning today to discuss trade in endangered animals and plants.

2.   Tanzania supports the sale of stockpiled ivory, but the money should be used for the protection of elephants, a government minister said Wednesday.

3.   The stockpiled ivory is obtained from elephants which die naturally, or is seized from poachers.

4.   Botswana wants to sell the stockpiled ivory to an unnamed Japanese buyer, the agency said, quoting deputy director Joseph Matlhare of the Botswana Department of Wildlife.