NICARAGUAN VIEWS ON RECENT INTERNATIONAL WHALING

UNCLAS MANAGUA 000604 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS COMMERCE FOR NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV IWC EFIS NU UK SUBJECT: NICARAGUAN VIEWS ON RECENT INTERNATIONAL WHALING COMMISSION MEETING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM REF: MANAGUA 0045 ¶1. (SBU) As noted in REFTEL, Miguel Marenco, Director General of the Nicaraguan Fisheries Agency (ADPESCA) candidly acknowledged to ECONOFF that his country maintains a quid pro quo arrangement in which Nicaragua supports Japanese whaling positions in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and Japan contributes generously to the GON. Marenco recently returned from an IWC meeting in the United Kingdom and has expanded on his country's views on the whaling issue, the IWC, and positions taken by various countries. He lamented the position of nations such as Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, the UK, and Brazil, saying that they "are against any lethal whaling and only accept whale watching." He referred to the Japanese position as being "flexible" and "science based." ¶2. (SBU) Of the U.S., Marenco said that U.S. Commissioner Bill Hobbarth "expressed a very mature position and looked very interested in making strong efforts to save the Commission and bring a consensus decision. I believe that he will be a good candidate to be elected as IWC chair in June. If this happens, Nicaragua will support him fully." Marenco believes that "intractable" positions taken by several IWC member countries threaten the very existance of the IWC. He said, "We believe this (the U.S. consensus proposal) is the last chance to save the IWC, if not this year then by next year's meeting in Anchorage." Comment: Given the close relationship between Japan and the GON (especially ADPESCA), Marenco's views may well be a clear indication of Japanese views on these issues as well. End Comment. TRIVELLI