Whaling meeting a diplomatic test for Govt: Expert

MONDAY 23 JUNE 2008

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) will hold its 60th Meeting in Santiago, Chile this week, 23-27 June with 79 countries who are all parties to the 1946 International Convention expected to attend. It will be the first time Environment Minister Peter Garrett has led the Australian delegation to the IWC.

ANU Professor of International Law Don Rothwell is available to provide expert commentary on the meeting over the week.

Professor Rothwell said the key issues on the agenda will be the reform of the IWC and the ongoing debate between pro-whaling and pro-conservation members of the Commission over the legitimacy of Japan’s ‘scientific whaling’ program in the Southern Ocean.

He said it can also be anticipated that Japan will raise for debate the actions of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the harassment of the Japanese whaling fleet by the Sea Shepherd vessel Steve Irwin

Earlier this month Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and Peter Garrett, confirmed that Australia was keeping open the option of taking Japan before an international court to contest the legality of Japan’s scientific whaling program

“IWC 60 will be the biggest diplomatic test so far for the Rudd Government’s policies on whaling. It will also place Environment Minster, Peter Garrett, under the international spotlight as he heads the Australian delegation at the Santiago meeting,” said Professor Rothwell.

“Australia has been one of the few countries to put forward concrete proposals for IWC reform. Garrett will have the key responsibility of arguing Australia’s position for reform which includes closing the loophole in the Convention which permits Japan’s unilateral scientific whaling program.

“The Rudd Government has so far committed itself to a diplomatic course of action in dealing with the whaling issue. If diplomacy fails in Santiago, then pressure will build upon the government to pursue its international legal case against Japan in the international courts.”

Donald R. Rothwell is Professor of International Law at the ANU College of Law. He was Chair of the 2006 Sydney Panel of Independent International Legal Experts on Japan’s Special Permit (“Scientific”) Whaling Under International Law.

Professor Rothwell is contactable on (02) 6125 8948 (w) or 0414 546 830 (m)