Australia to lay out plans to end Japanese Whaling at International Whaling Commission meeting

[Annces]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/australia-to-go-in-hard-at-meeting-on-whaling/2008/03/06/1204779968161.html



THE Rudd Government is taking its hardline campaign against whaling to a special meeting of the International Whaling Commission, despite concerns it could be left isolated.

The London meeting that opened yesterday was called to build trust between hostile pro- and anti-whaling sides of the 78-nation whaling commission.

In a rare move for any international organisation, a Kenyan lawyer-diplomat, Calestous Juma, has been hired to coax the sides towards common ground.

But far from offering compromise, Australia was to lay out plans at the meeting to end Japan's contentious "scientific" whaling and transform the commission into a whale conservation organisation. With some anti-whaling nations more willing to meet Japan halfway, observers say Australia will be fighting not to be marginalised in the debate.

The Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, said Australia faced a long road in its campaign to end whaling, but was not alone.

"We think we will receive a good and fair hearing," he told the Herald. "Already we have had some really useful discussions outside the formal agenda."


(Yey for Peter Garrett)

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5489758,00.jpg

[kristopher]

1. DU member Kristopher say will end world hunger and mandate world peace.

This is nothing but political grandstanding.

So let's see, if they drop out of the IWC, how many whales will Japan need to take in order to ensure profitability? Certainly more than what they've been doing to date. However many it is, it will probably continue to rise as fuel costs continue to rise.

Way to go, Australia. Helping to manage the world's resources with the same political wisdom you've managed your domestic resources. Great, great job. What's next, introduction of rabbits into the Galapagos?

[Annces]

2. I don't think you know what will happen

Institutions change because of people bringing pressure. Garrett is young and brash. He has a long life ahead of him to introduce changes.

[kristopher]

4. You are right.

I don't know what will happen. But I do know what is happening now.
The Japanese whaling isn't a commercial enterprise, it is subsidized by the government. If they pull out of the IWC there is no longer a reason for the subsidy, the whaling ships will be expected to pay for their existence by taking whales.

Given those circumstances, what do YOU think will happen?

[Annces]

5. Well many things could happen

Maybe Japan will stop whaling because it is not rewarding enough. Certainly the media attention is helping, because the more people are aware of what is going on, the more bad publicity Japan gets.

Do you even care that people are killing whales for food?

[kristopher]

6. Do you care that actions you support are having the opposite effect of what you want to achieve?

What do you know about the Japanese and their position?

Do you know what their domestic publicity looks like?

Can you explain to me WHY anyone should share your view that killing an animal, any animal, is the moral equivalent of murder?

Can you explain to someone who doesn't share that value why they should respect your values enough to change their actions?

[Annces]

7. Compassion is the way forward

To explain that to you, I would have to be a religious teacher.

Suffice to say, if you are in dire trouble, and a person passses by and helps you, are you grateful? Is that not life-enhancing and life-affirming for you?

[kristopher]

8. The Japanese are a very compassionate people.

And I've very familiar with the golden rule.

None of which address the questions I asked you. Those questions go to the heart of the dispute and our failure to find a resolution. I'm working on a plan to move the Japanese, but I could use some outside input. Would you make an honest effort to answer the questions I asked?

[Annces]

9. I was not discussing with you the Japanese people

From what I have read, most Japanese are not even aware that whales are being killed. The older generation are the ones who are familiar with eating whale meat. The government continues to hunt whales as some part of insulated national policy.

As to your question:
Can you explain to me WHY anyone should share your view that killing an animal, any animal, is the moral equivalent of murder?

I never said killing an animal was the moral equivalent of murder. There are plenty of resources as to how overpopulated we are, and how animals are treated inhumanely in the food industry. You can read about this if you desire. I was more than happy to become a vegetarian once I was able to completely understand what pain I was contributing to. And I came to this understanding by reading and becoming involved. I have 2 nieces who are vegetarians too, all of their own accord. Their parents (my siblings) are the farthest thing from vegetarian. But these sensitive souls came to this conclusion on their own and from learning about these things themselves.

[MaryCeleste]

3. I found it interesting that there was a concern about Australia being marginalized

for it no whaling stance. If the IWC does morph, more than Iceland will walk out of it and it will fail.

This will be interesting to watch.