WHALING: JAPANESE RESOLUTION CALLS ON U.S. TO ACT AGAINST

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TOKYO 000958 SIPDIS STATE FOR D, G and OES/OA - MHAYES/JFIELD AND EAP/J USDOC FOR NOAA/NMFS - US IWC COMMISSIONER HOGARTH AND McCARTY SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV EFIS KSCA IWC ETRD JA SUBJECT: WHALING: JAPANESE RESOLUTION CALLS ON U.S. TO ACT AGAINST VIOLENT PROTESTORS First Diet Resolution on the Issue -------------- ¶1. Japan's House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries unanimously adopted a resolution (No.169-4) condemning the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and other anti-whaling NGOs' interference with Japan's research whaling April ¶2. The resolution, submitted to Foreign Minister Koumura, requested the GOJ take measures to prevent such "terrorist and criminal activities" by demanding Australia, the Netherlands and the U.S. take stringent measures based on each country's law. It was the first time a Diet resolution was adopted regarding obstruction activities of research whaling. The resolution also called for continuation of Japan's research whaling in the Southern Ocean. MAFF Minister Notifies Australian Counterpart -------------- ¶2. During a Q&A session at the Committee meeting, Hiroyoshi Nishi (New Komeito Party),Nobutaka Tsutsui (Democratic Party of Japan) and other Diet members from both ruling and opposition parties complained the GOJ's measures against the protestors have been insufficient thus far, according to the April 4 fisheries trade newspaper Suisan Keizai Shimbun. The paper also noted Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Masatoshi Wakabayashi informed Australia's Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke of the resolution during an April 2 meeting. Burke, according to press reports confirmed by Australian Embassy contacts, responded that his nation will firmly deal with pirate activities that cause human and physical damage. ¶3. MOFA's only action to date in response to the resolution has been to instruct Japanese Embassies in Australia, the Netherlands, and the U.S. to seek their host governments' continued cooperation on the issue of violent protests, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Fisheries Division Director Ryotaro Suzuki told Emboffs April 7. ¶4. The following is an informal summary translation of the resolution: - The Committee strongly condemns repeated interference with Japan's research whaling by anti-whaling NGOs such as the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The interference is malicious and can be regarded as terrorist/criminal activity. Japan's research whaling has been carried out based on Article VIII of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) and therefore is perfectly legal. - The series of terrorist/criminal activities were illegal invasions onto Japanese-flagged vessels. The anti-whaling activists injured Japanese crew members including Coast Guard officers and seriously damaged Japan's research whaling. The activists clearly violated Japan's sovereign rights. - The Government of Japan, through inter-agency efforts, must take strict actions, particularly taking account of the following points: ¶A. The government should enhance security measures by the Coast Guard. If further terrorist/criminal activities occur, the government should take strict actions. The government should clearly demonstrate this intention both domestically and internationally. ¶B. To prevent further terrorist/criminal activities, the government should take all possible actions, including calling on foreign governments concerned, in particular those of Australia, the Netherlands, and the U.S., to take strict actions based on their domestic law. ¶C. Japan's research whaling activities in the Southern Ocean, which have played a significant role in expanding knowledge of whale biology, should be continued using every available means. For this purpose, the government should improve relevant conditions, including disseminating correct information domestically and TOKYO 00000958 002 OF 002 internationally, and providing necessary financial assistance. End summary translation. SCHIEFFER