CROATIA SUPPORTS CONSERVATION STANCE IN IWC

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000693 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR OES/OA John Field EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIS SENV HR SUBJECT: CROATIA SUPPORTS CONSERVATION STANCE IN IWC ¶1. The Croatian parliament unanimously approved membership in the International Whaling Commission on June 2 and included pro-conservation language in its adopted law. However, given the mechanics of ratification and accession, it is uncertain that Croatia will send a representative to the June 16 meeting. The Law Confirming the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling will enter into force 8 days after publication in the National Gazette (national registry of laws),after which the GOC will sign the Convention and become an IWC member, according to Ivana Jelinic of the Nature Conservation Office of the Croatian Ministry of Culture. ¶2. The language in the law on Croatia's accession to the IWC is decidedly pro-conservation and a strong indication that Croatia will be a reliable partner in this forum, a point confirmed by Jelinic. The preamble of Croatia's accession law states: "The goal of this Convention is to protect the whale population and ensure their survival in globally threatened oceans. The Convention is one of the most prestigious and respected organizations for the protection of threatened animal species, especially because of its scientific council and the rigorous methods with which they approach managing and protecting individual populations and species." FRANK