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.
> I'm not. I wish they would wipe each other out. Militarily, I would call it about an even match. Let's all raise a Speight's when that happens!
Amen.
Now who's insulting?
His wife takes one look and says, "That's a sheep, you jerk."
The Kiwi looks at his wife and says, "I wasn't talking to you."
Semper Fi
> The entire country of New Zealand is chock full of environmentalist whackos. Remember, this is the country that won't allow any of our nuclear powered ships into their harbor. Of course, if there was another world war, I'm sure then they'd be glad we had those ships and subs, to help protect their arse, as they have zip for a military
Your view definitely reflects the lunatic fringe in New Zealand -- who, for the time being, are running the show in Wellington. In the event of invasion, the rest of us would arm ourselves with WW-II surplus .303's and KA-Bars and go into the bush.
Rude and bigoted? You have a tagline including the words bastards toilets and you dare to mention being rude?
I don't know how many Japanese you know, or how long you have ever spent in Japan, but it ain't necessarily a welcome wagon over there...
Be nice. Especially to us out here in the South Pacific who have to deal with this..
> A Kiwi walks into the bedroom of his trailer house carrying a squirming sheep under his arm and says,
Mate, we don't have a quarrel -- yet. But I find your sense of humor distasteful.
I am as good a friend as any Yank could ask for, DownUnder. Look thru my posts and I defy you to find one -- even one -- that has not been supportive of the United States of America, your Armed Forces, and your President.
Indeed, I have been most respectful and supportive of your Nation. But if your attitude reflects the way Americans actually are, then it is no bloody surprise that you are losing friends worldwide at a rate of knots.
I take deep offense at your post, and request an apology
Withdraw that, River Rat. I know it's just a joke, but not OK.
Post 105 was a funny joke.
You should take it as such.
I thought it was pretty funny.
> Post 105 was a funny joke.
Mate, there was nothing remotely funny about post 105. Or even post 103. I would like an apology. New Zealand has done nothing to deserve that.
That's toilet humor that your should reserve for your enemies. Not your friends.
Your not married, are you ?
So what is brown and black and looks good on a lawyer ? Ans: a doberman.
I thought it rather funny.... Jokes are intended to be funny... This particular joke came to mind when the person to whom it was addressed reminded me that New Zealand was a huge sheep raising country....
I won't accept responsibility for offending you.. It was a joke....and I'm sorry it offended you -- but that's your problem not mine. As a point in fact - it was a Kiwi diesel engineer I drank with in Kyoto that TOLD me the joke the first time....... The whole damned bar broke up at the punch line.......including the Japanese bartender who caught it about 20 seconds after everyone else.
I'm not looking for a fight -- nor am I interested in insulting folks -- that's not my gig.... I'm just a crusty,slightly argumentative and usually vulgar old Jarhead that needs to go to bed...
G'nite mate....
Semper Fi
> I'm not looking for a fight -- nor am I interested in insulting folks -- that's not my gig.... I'm just a crusty,slightly argumentative and usually vulgar old Jarhead that needs to go to bed...
I'll take that at face value, mate. Goodonya. Semper Fi.
Done?
A tv interviewer asks an american man who has been married for 30 years how have you managed to be married that long ?
The man answers, "I always get the last 2 words in"
Interviewer asks, what are those words"
The man answers "Yes dear"
> Done?
Yuh. Done and shake hands on it.
New Zealand is a Friend of the United States. And I am an unofficial ambassador for our Nation. I make no apologies for our current government: I had nothing to do with that. Except by casting my vote.
We're good friends to have, us Kiwis. On average, we're each 265 pounds of rugby-playing solid muscle and bone and sinew. We're good for a laugh and we like to sink a few pints once the day's work is done.
We are very hard. Rough and tough as guts. Almost like Texans, except we own our own country: in all other respects, the same.
http://luna.pos.to/whale/jwa_trad.html
HISTORY OF THE TRADITIONAL DIET: JAPANESE AND THE WHALE
...
“Whale meat was the only meat served in school lunches which began in 1947 and continued until the mid-1950's. After that, pork and chicken began to be served in school lunches and the amount of whale meat decreased. However, until the mid-1970's, whale meat was used more than any other meat. About 15% of the total amount of the Japanese production of whale meat was used for school lunches in 1973.
Several places, especially in the Kyushu and Chugoku regions still adhere to the custom of eating whale meat.
Some people of these regions avoid eating the meat of four-legged animals during the New Year celebrations. They only eat whale meat. Whale dishes are served at weddings, the construction of new houses and launching ceremonies. What would happen to these traditional customs when whaling is banned?”
...
> Good on ya , Mate.
And Goodonya for making the Peace, mate!
> River Rat meant no ill will.
Me either, and no offense taken: his posts elsewhere make perfect sense, we'd be on the same side on most issues.
> My best advice is give as good as you got, He's a Marine and can take it.....with a chuckle. Beware reprisals though.
I give as good as I get because I'm by definition a Kiwi. River Rat has no cause for reprisals: I respect his viewpoint. It's generally intelligent. But like your old American flag says "Don't tread on me." I am fiercely Kiwi and am quite pleased to defend my country against all.
Which is nothing that an average, blue-blooded American would do or expect.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.