CYPRUS: WHALES - IWC MEMBERSHIP DEAMRCHE ON USG PRIORITIES

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000396

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SE AND OES/OA (JOHN FIELD)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EFIS KSCA PRL IWC ETRD CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS: WHALES - IWC MEMBERSHIP DEAMRCHE ON USG PRIORITIES

REF: STATE 56397

(U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.


1. (SBU) Per reftel request, Post delivered on May 3 demarche on the
59th annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in
Alaska from May 28-31 to Alexandros Zenon, Acting Permanent
Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We also sent copies to

SIPDIS
Panicos Pouros, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, and
George Georgiou, Director, Department of Fisheries.


2. (SBU) Cyprus will be represented at the IWC meeting by Ms.
Myrofora Hadjichristoforou, Senior Officer, Department of Fisheries
and Marine Research. On May 8, Hadjichristoforou informed us that,
generally, Cyprus was very pro-conservation on whaling issues and,
thus, naturally inclined to side with the United States on most
issues. The European Commission had recommended that all EU
countries participating in the IWC come up with a common position on
IWC agenda issues. Cyprus plans to honor whatever consensus
position emerges from Brussels. Hadjichristoforou noted that the
European Commission's Environment Directorate General (ENV) and
Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Directorate General (FISH) were both
vying for the leadership role on IWC issues. As part of a
compromise, representatives from both DGs will attend the meeting.



3. (SBU) Regarding the GOC's position on the specific issues raised
in our demarche, here are Hadjichristoforou's preliminary comments:

-- Bowhead Whale Quota: Being the IWC's newest member, Cyprus cannot
take a position on this without consulting with the rest of the EU
first. Cyprus would normally vote for absolute protection of
whales. However, Cyprus would be willing to go along with the five
year, 280 bowhead whale quota, provided the scientific community and
the rest of the EU accepted the U.S. and Russian position that such
limited subsistence whaling poses no threat to the species.

-- Revised Management Scheme (RMS): Cyprus has full confidence in
the IWC's leadership that it will overcome the present impasse.
Cyprus has no specific suggestions at this point.

-- Conservation Committee: Cyprus fully supports the U.S. position
on this issue.

SCHLICHER