COLOMBIA TO ACCEDE TO WHALING CONVENTION

UNCLAS BOGOTA 003624

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

BRASILIA FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HUB/STORY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ETRD CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA TO ACCEDE TO WHALING CONVENTION



1. (SBU) The GOC intends to accede to the International
Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW). Ana Maria
Hernandez, Director of International Affairs for the
Environment Ministry, told EconCouns that the decision was
made at a May 16 interagency meeting. Hernandez stated that
the process will take some time given inter-agency procedural
requirements and the necessity to attain Congressional and
Constitutional Court approval. She estimates that accession
will not be finalized for 1-1/2 to 2 years.


2. (SBU) Colombia will form part of the pro-conservation
bloc in the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
According to Foreign Minister Director of Economic, Social
and Environmental Affairs Maria Andrea Alban, Colombia's
principal interest in joining the IWC is to support the
moratorium against whaling. Colombia has no whaling fleet or
industry, Alban explained, but Colombian waters offer both a
migratory path and breeding grounds. Whale watching forms
part of GOC policy to promote ecotourism in Colombia,
especially in the impoverished Pacific Coast region.


3. (SBU) Hernandez confirmed that upon accession to the
ICRW, Colombia will be party to 5 of the 7 multilateral
environmental agreements (MEAs) singled out by administration
and congressional officials as part of the new free trade
agreements. She added that efforts to become a party to the
two remaining accords -- the Inter-American Tropical Tuna
Convention, and the Convention on Conservation of Antarctic
Marine Living Resources -- have been on-going but will
intensify with the political momentum gained by the trade
talks.
Drucker