Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PANAMA858
2007-05-25 17:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Panama
Cable title:  

GOP TO SUPPORT PRO-CONVERSATION VOTES AT IWC BUT

Tags:  ECON ETRD PREL SENV IWC 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHZP #0858/01 1451742
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 251742Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0446
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0106
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS PANAMA 000858 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR STATE WHA/CEN TELLO
FOR STATE OES/OA FIELD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD PREL SENV IWC
SUBJECT: GOP TO SUPPORT PRO-CONVERSATION VOTES AT IWC BUT
HESITANT ON BOWHEAD QUOTA

REF: STATE 56397

UNCLAS PANAMA 000858

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR STATE WHA/CEN TELLO
FOR STATE OES/OA FIELD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD PREL SENV IWC
SUBJECT: GOP TO SUPPORT PRO-CONVERSATION VOTES AT IWC BUT
HESITANT ON BOWHEAD QUOTA

REF: STATE 56397


1. (U) SUMMARY. EconOff delivered REFTEL points on May 22 and
23, 2007 to George Novey, Sub Administrator for the Aquatic
Resources Authority (ARAP),and on May 23, 2007 to Deborah
Siraze, International Economic Relations Division of the
Ministry for Foreign Relations (MIRE). Novey and Siraze told
EconOff that the GOP would vote pro-conservation on each
agenda item at the International Whaling Commission (IWC)
meeting May 28-31 in Alaska. They also said the GOP would
not support the USG/Russia proposal regarding subsistence
aboriginal whaling of bowhead whales. The key issues for the
GOP at the IWC are subsistence whaling by aboriginal
communities, the protection of whale sanctuaries and
safeguards on tourist-related whale watching. Novey said he
supports the Revised Management Scheme in so much as
scientific knowledge of whales should be obtained regardless
of the decision to permit commercial whaling. Siraze said
there needs to be more discussion on this issue. Both said
the GOP has not made any decision regarding any changes to
the IWC mandate. Novey said he was informed that the GOP had
paid its IWC dues and would be eligible to vote. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) EconOff delivered REFTEL points on May 22 and 23, 2007
to Novey and on May 23, 2007 to Siraze. The GOP delegation
to the IWC will be Anna Nunez from ARAP and Siraze.

--------------
GOP to Vote Pro-Conservation Down the Line
--------------


3. (U) Novey and Siraze told EconOff that the GOP will vote
pro-conservation on each agenda item at the IWC.


4. (U) Novey informed EconOff that for ARAP the key issues
are request by countries such as the proposals by the US,
Russia and Japan for quotas to allow for subsistence whaling
by aboriginal communities. Novey also said sustainable
commercial whaling is of concern. Novey said the GOP's
policy to date is to continue the ban on whaling in all forms.


5. (U) Siraze told EconOff that for MIRE the key issues are
the protection of whale sanctuaries and the regulation of
tourist-related whale watching to ensure the protection of
whales.

--------------
GOP Against USG/Russia Bowhead Quota Request
--------------


6. (U) Novey told EconOff that the GOP would oppose the
USG/Russia request for the five-year 280 bowhead whale
capture quota. Novey said this decision comes from the MIRE
and given that the GOP will be taking a pro-conservation
stance on every item, it would be difficult to support any
whaling no matter how small.


7. (U) Siraze confirmed to EconOff the GOP's opposition to
the USG/Russia the bowhead whale quota proposal. Siraze said
if the bowhead whaling quota issue was part of a packaged
vote allowing other forms of subsistence aboriginal whaling,
the GOP would have serious reservations about even
considering supporting such a measure. Siraze said if the
bowhead whaling issue was voted upon separately, the GOP
would consider the issue in light of the specific facts.


8. (U) Siraze said that the GOP will be looking to vote with
other Latin America countries as a bloc on each issue, and
particularly on any subsistence aboriginal whaling issue.
Siraze stressed the importance the GOP attaches to Latin
America voting as a bloc on all issues before the IWC.

--------------
Revised Management Scheme
--------------


9. (U) Novey said he believed that scientific knowledge of
whale populations should be determined regardless of the
decision of countries to resume commercial whaling. He
believes that scientific information such as the one proposed
by the scheme is not only useful for whaling purposes but
provides an overall knowledge of the growth patterns and
factors affecting different whale species populations.


10. (U) Siraze said this issue requires further discussion,
particularly among Latin American countries, before any


decision could be made.


--------------
Conservation Committee
--------------


11. (U) Novey and Siraze said no decision has been made
regarding any change to the IWC's mandate to include
sustainable use or management issues.

--------------
IWC Dues Paid
--------------


12. (U) Novey said Anibal Culiolis, the Maritime Authority's
Finance Director told him that the GOP had paid its dues and
would be eligible to vote at the IWC.
EATON