ID :
10541
Sun, 06/22/2008 - 13:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/10541
The shortlink copeid
Japan may resume commercial whaling if IWC talks do not progress+
WASHINGTON, June 21 (Kyodo) - Japan has indicated to member countries of the International Whaling Commission that it may resume commercial whaling if the IWC fails to alleviate tensions between pro-and anti-whaling members before the end of the IWC general meeting
in June next year in Portugal, sources close to the matter said Saturday.
Seeking a breakthrough to the moratorium on commercial whaling since 1986, the Japanese government notified IWC member countries, ''We will review our relationship with the IWC, and possibly resume whale catches in our own way'' if the commission's talks for the resumption of commercial whaling do not make progress before the end of next year's IWC meeting, according to the sources.
At last year's IWC general meeting, Japan indicated it may withdraw from the IWC or start whaling catches after facing strong opposition to its proposal to allow small-scale coastal whaling. Japan also proposed cutting the hunting permit for so-called research whaling in the northwest Pacific as a compromise at that time.
This year's IWC meeting is scheduled to be held in Santiago, Chile, from Monday, with whaling countries like Japan and anti-whaling countries including Britain remaining in conflict over issues such as whale conservation.
Even anti-whaling countries have shown concern about the course of the IWC, with some, including the United States, seeking establishment of a working group of 10 to 15 countries to discuss coastal whaling and research whaling.
in June next year in Portugal, sources close to the matter said Saturday.
Seeking a breakthrough to the moratorium on commercial whaling since 1986, the Japanese government notified IWC member countries, ''We will review our relationship with the IWC, and possibly resume whale catches in our own way'' if the commission's talks for the resumption of commercial whaling do not make progress before the end of next year's IWC meeting, according to the sources.
At last year's IWC general meeting, Japan indicated it may withdraw from the IWC or start whaling catches after facing strong opposition to its proposal to allow small-scale coastal whaling. Japan also proposed cutting the hunting permit for so-called research whaling in the northwest Pacific as a compromise at that time.
This year's IWC meeting is scheduled to be held in Santiago, Chile, from Monday, with whaling countries like Japan and anti-whaling countries including Britain remaining in conflict over issues such as whale conservation.
Even anti-whaling countries have shown concern about the course of the IWC, with some, including the United States, seeking establishment of a working group of 10 to 15 countries to discuss coastal whaling and research whaling.
