Posted on 01/01/2006 5:41:10 PM PST by Dundee
Japanese warship 'to guard whalers'
A STANDOFF between Japanese whalers and environmentalists has escalated, with a conservation group claiming the Japanese Government has sent a warship to Antarctic waters to protect its fleet.
The Washington-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society said it had received a tip-off that a Japanese naval ship had been sent to the region to defend its whalers from protesters.
The group said it was concerned the warship would try to seize its vessel and those of the two Greenpeace crews shadowing the whaling fleet through the Southern Ocean.
"The Japanese Institute of Cetacean Research has made an open accusation of piracy and eco-terrorism against the Greenpeace Foundation and Sea Shepherd," it said.
"If Japan adopts the false accusations that acts of piracy have been committed against their ships, they can use the accusations as an excuse under international law to attack and seize the ships they accuse."
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's vessel joined two Greenpeace boats in the Antarctic waters last week to try to stop the whale hunt.
Both organisations have been accused of deliberately ramming the whaling boats -- an accusation they strongly deny.
Greenpeace spokesman aboard the Arctic Sunrise Shane Rattenbury said he had been unable to confirm rumours over the weekend, which is a Japanese national holiday, that the warship was on its way.
But he said the Japanese whaling fleet was under huge pressure due to the presence of the three protest boats, which were beaming rare images of a whale hunt to the world.
"I think it would certainly raise the stakes, because not only would it be a very expensive exercise but sending a military vessel into Antarctic treaty waters would make a very serious diplomatic incident," Mr Rattenbury said.
Environment Minister Ian Campbell would not comment on the rumour or what action the Australian Government might take if it proved true.
But on Friday he accused the Sea Shepherd crew of acting in a "warlike manner" by allegedly trying to damage one of the Japanese whaling vessels.
Senator Campbell referred an email from the captain of one protesting ship to the Minister for Justice and Customs. The federal Government has refused requests to send its own naval vessel to the Southern Ocean to oversee the whaling fleet, which is hunting in what Australia declares to be its Antarctic territory and a whale sanctuary.
Japan does not recognise Australia's claim to the waters.
Japan's constitution prevents it from sending an offensive force overseas. But in 1992, the Tokyo government passed a special law to allow a Japanese naval vessel to accompany the first shipment of plutonium oxide from France to Japan.
Greenpeace opposed the shipment of plutonium and sent one of its own vessels, the Solo, to shadow the load.
During the first leg of the voyage, the Japanese naval vessel Shikishima was accused of ramming the Greenpeace boat.
The Japanese Fisheries Agency maintains its whaling program is legal research.
Having done a Southern Ocean patrol myself, I feel sorry for the crew of the Japanese warship. Conditions down there, even at the best of times, suck beyond the telling of it.
I'm not at all happy of the concept of "Japanese Warships". The last time we had these DownUnder there was all Hell to pay. It's about time to sink a few more of these, to remind them of their manners.
Good on Greenpeace for standing up to these Japanese bullies. They have no business in our Southern oceans, which are whale sanctuaries.
Greenpeace really needs to invest in a warship if they are going to be credible in saving the whales. Surely Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon and other hollyweirds will contribute.
It would be a beautiful thing !
> Greenpeace really needs to invest in a warship if they are going to be credible in saving the whales. Surely Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon and other hollyweirds will contribute.
Between them and the Sea Shepherd Society, they have been doing a fairly credible job for 30+ years now.
I'm no tree-hugger, but I do draw the line at countries like Japan who, under the guise of "research", sneak into South Pacific waters (where they do not belong) and plunder magnificent animals, merely to feed their greedy guts. I don't care what they do in their own waters, but leave the South Pacific alone.
This sounds like a job for the United Nations...ajudicating disputes between nations.
Where is the KOFIMAN???
Here is another wonderful opportunity for the UN to screw up another operation and make it FUBAR!
I'm not FOR either side, but I agree about whales being magnificent animals. If I could stop whaling I would, but many would label me a communist for doing so.
Cool idea. Can we use a few Marines at the rodeo to rid ourselves of the animal rights protesters? Better yet, can we make PETA roping an event?
How can a country lay claim to an Ocean. I thought there was a 12 mile limit amd the rest was international.
That being said the Japanese are known to overfish any sea however, if Greenpeace attacks them or rams their ship they should have a right to protection.
That being said why doesnt Japan and all the other countries of the world stop the pirates from Samalia who would board a passenger ship at sea.
As much as I hate whaling I have to give props to japan for standing up to eco-terrorists and showing that piracy and naval terrorism will not be tolerated.
Hope it goes smoother then when the french tried to off some greenpeacenicks in the pacific back in the eighties.
Well put and right on target.
> As much as I hate whaling I have to give props to japan for standing up to eco-terrorists and showing that piracy and naval terrorism will not be tolerated.
In this case, Japan is the eco-terrorist and pirate. They have no business in the South Pacific whale sanctuary. What they are doing is illegal: they are thumbing their nose at the law.
Like I say, I am no tree-hugger. But I've had a gutsful of Japan and its greedy, self-seeking ways. And if Greenpeace has the balls to stand up to them, I say goodon'em. Go with my blessing.
I haven't used a whale oil lamp in quite a while now (like forever) what else is a whale used for these days? Why are they still caught?
arrggg ping
Send in the French. They can't protect themselves from anyone with any intent, but they have a history of destroying unarmed ships (not that I didn't agree with them).
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