Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07OSLO519
2007-05-16 16:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:  

NORWEGIAN VIEWS ON UPCOMING IWC MEETING

Tags:  SENV EFIS KSCA PREL IWC ETRD NO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0005
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNY #0519 1361620
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 161620Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY OSLO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5683
UNCLAS OSLO 000519 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR OES/OA JOHN FIELD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EFIS KSCA PREL IWC ETRD NO
SUBJECT: NORWEGIAN VIEWS ON UPCOMING IWC MEETING

REF: STATE 56397

UNCLAS OSLO 000519

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR OES/OA JOHN FIELD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EFIS KSCA PREL IWC ETRD NO
SUBJECT: NORWEGIAN VIEWS ON UPCOMING IWC MEETING

REF: STATE 56397


1. (SBU) On May 15 we delivered reftel remarks to Ministry
of Foreign Affairs Polar Advisor Karsten Klepsvik. Klepsvik
told us that Norway would support the 5-year bowhead whale
quota for U.S. and Russia. Klepsvik, however, was amenable
to Japan's proposal for Small-type Coastal Whaling provided
that it was scientifically justified. Norway's involvement
in the IWC Conservation Committee is measured and Klepsvik
told us that Norway would not actively push for a change in
the committee mandate.


2. (SBU) Norwegians see a resolution to the current impasse
over the Revised Management Scheme (RMS) as crucial. Without
a compromise, which for Norway involves anti-whaling nations
accepting at least some commercial whaling, Klepsvik fears
for the long-term viability of the IWC. He thanked the U.S.
for keeping RMS discussions focused on scientific data and
sees the U.S. leadership as crucial to forging a compromise.
While not optimistic about prospects for a solution, he
stopped short of saying that a continued impasse over the RMS
would force Norway to pull out of the IWC altogether.
WHITNEY