WHALING: US COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT GROUP TALKS

UNCLAS STATE 100275 SENSITIVE, SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDED SENSITIVE CAPTION) COMMERCE PASS TO NOAA (MMEDINA AREED AND RWULFF) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: IWC PREL EFIS JA SENV SUBJECT: WHALING: US COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT GROUP TALKS REF: STATE 97770 ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraphs 4-5. -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. (U) Post is requested to approach appropriate Government of Japan officials regarding the Future of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Support Group meeting in Santiago, Chile, October 5-17, 2009. The United States is committed to working within the process and will be approaching the meeting with flexibility. We are encouraging all participants to come to Santiago with the same mind set. Because the Support Group meeting begins on October 5, 2009, Post is requested to approach officials the week of September 28, 2009. Suggested language for Post's use is contained in paragraphs 5-6. -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶3. (U) At its 60th meeting in June 2008 in Santiago, Chile, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) created the Small Working Group (SWG) to discuss the Future of the IWC. The SWG was charged with assisting the Commission to arrive at a consensus solution to the main issues it faces and thus to enable it to best fulfill its role with respect to the conservation of whale stocks and the management of whaling. The primary task of the SWG was to make every effort to develop a package or packages for consensus solutions regarding the future of the IWC for review by the Commission. One of the pivotal issues for the IWC members is lethal scientific research whaling. Many countries, including the United States, believe that the science necessary for effective management of large whales does not require the lethal take of whales. This is one of the most difficult issues for IWC members and must be resolved in order to reach consensus on a package. The United States has indicated that for any package to be acceptable, there must be an improvement in the conservation status of whales, including a significant reduction in the number of whales killed. ¶4. (U) The Obama Administration is committed to achieving reform of the IWC and would like to see a similar commitment on the part of other IWC member countries, including the Japanese Government. (REFTEL describes USG efforts to encourage the Australian Government to approach these meeting with flexibility.) We believe this will require high-level diplomatic efforts by all participating governments. These countries have been engaged in a debate on the Future of the IWC for over two years now. Ending the current discussions without an agreement and returning to the status quo would negatively affect the organization as a whole and is an unacceptable outcome to the United States. We agree with the Commission's decision at IWC 61 to urge delegations to be empowered to negotiate and engage in constructive discussions aimed at reaching consensus. In order for this effort to succeed, governments must come to the upcoming meetings in Santiago, Chile (October 5-16) and St. Pete Beach, Florida (December 8-11) prepared and ready to compromise. -------------- ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Post is requested to approach appropriate Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAFF) officials, ideally members of the new government, to discuss the meeting of the Support Group on the Future of the IWC meeting to be held October 5-17, 2009. Due to the start date of the Support Group, Post is requested to approach GOJ officials the week of September 28, 2009. ¶6. (U) Post may draw on the following points: a. The United States values its relationship with Japan and appreciates efforts of the Japanese Government to work closely with the United States on many environmental issues. b. Now is the time for Japan, the United States and all of the other governments directly involved in upcoming negotiations on the Future of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to become more pragmatic and flexible. Only through meaningful compromise can we resolve the long-standing stalemate within the Commission. c. The Obama Administration is committed to approaching the upcoming meeting in Santiago, Chile with flexibility and believes it is urgent that we do not squander the current opportunity to reach consensus on a way forward for the organization. We strongly urge Japan to come to the meeting in a similar spirit. ¶7. (U) The Department thanks Post for their continued assistance in this matter. OES/OPA point of contact on this matter is Elizabeth Phelps, reachable on unclass email at phelpse@state.gov, class email at phelpse@state.sgov.gov, or telephone 202-647-0241. CLINTON