Whaling summit setback for Japan

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/5085730.stm

 

Whaling summit setback for Japan

 

 

Japan has unexpectedly lost two key votes at a meeting of the

International Whaling Commission (IWC) in the Caribbean island of St Kitts.

The pro-whaling nation wanted to end work on conservation of sea mammals

and introduce secret ballots.

 

Correspondents say for the moment at least the anti-whaling bloc appears

to have retained the balance of power.

 

Japan says it will consider leaving the IWC if it does not move back

towards a resumption of commercial whaling.

 

Japan has spent years lobbying developing nations to join the IWC and

wrest power from the majority anti-whaling bloc. Environmental groups accuse

these countries of voting with Japan in return for aid, a charge which the

Japanese deny.

 

Conservation groups have expressed cautious relief.

 

 

 

 

The BBC's Richard Black in St Kitts says they believed a Japanese win on

the conservation motion would have had serious consequences for many species of

small cetaceans.

 

Not all of Japan's traditional allies have turned up here and a couple

voted unexpectedly with the pro-conservation nations, he says.

 

However, other votes lie ahead during the five-day meeting and other

countries expected to side with Japan may yet turn up, our correspondent says.

 

'Arrogant'

 

The basic argument is the same as it has been for years.

 

The self-styled pro-conservation countries led by Australia, New Zealand

and the UK believe whales are intrinsically special animals and should never be

killed.

 

 

 

 

 

In the opposition corner is a bloc led by Japan, which sees things

differently.

 

Japan's deputy commissioner to the IWC, Joji Morishita, says the

organisation has become too concerned with conservation.

 

Speaking on BBC Five Live Breakfast he said many Japanese people felt the

IWC was " arrogant " and that whales could be used on a sustainable basis.

 

This meant " science and probably international law " were on the side of

the Japanese, he said.

 

" Many of Japanese citizens think that Westerners, [the] outside world, are

imposing their own value code on Japan on an emotional basis, and naturally they

think they're bullies or... arrogant. "

 

He added: " Allowing sustainable use of abundant species while protecting

the depleted... we don't see the problem with that. It's exactly the same as

conservation and management of any other wildlife or fishery resources. "

 

But if the argument is familiar, the balance of power this year looks very

different.

 

Changes possible

 

Four countries have just joined, of which three look set to support Japan

giving it a majority on paper.

 

That could mean a number of important changes to the IWC.

 

Japan has hinted it may move towards overturning the 20-year moratorium on

commercial whaling, although a vote for resumption of commercial hunting at this

meeting itself is highly unlikely.

 

To try to erode Japan's support, environmental groups have been

campaigning in some of the small developing nations which traditionally support

Japan.

 

A survey commissioned by WWF suggested there was a majority opinion

against whaling in all 10 of the Caribbean and Pacific states in which they

polled.

 

WWF is urging delegates from those nations to cast their votes

accordingly.