Troubled waters ahead
Michelle Grattan; 22/6/08
Just when Kevin Rudd has smoothed the waters with Japan, another stoush over whales looms. The International Whaling Commission meeting in Santiago, Chile this week will be a test of strength, highlighting the stark differences between the two countries. Australia will argue that the commission should become an organisation dedicated to conservation. Japan’s view is that whales are a resource, and whaling should be a legitimate commercial industry; it classes the current moratorium, imposed in the 1980s, as an interregnum. Japan wants the commission - to be a manager of a resource rather than of a ban.
See: http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/troubled-waters-ahead/2008/06/21/1214009160151.html
Tags: Australia, Environment, Japan, Pacific