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.
You should, your country is headed by Helen Clark and you people keep re-electing her.
If I have to choose between "Japanese bullies" and Greenpeace scum, I'll side with the "Japanese bullies" every time.
Are these "bullies" operating in NZ waters or international waters?
If international and the Japanese have not signed a treaty then initiating military force is your only option. To protect pirates, ....unwise. And I know how you feel about NZ, the place is grand and Kiwis are wonderful people.
Very well put. Amazed that the same people who would critise anti-hunters in the US woods would defend eco-terrorists Greenpeace stalking the Japanese.
> The world should operate in compliance with the Law and International Agreements -- not personal preferences or racial bias.
Mate, with respect: Japan is in clear violation of the International Whaling Commission's global moratorium on commercial whaling. Full stop.
They have no business doing what they are doing. Just because they are "Japan" doesn't make it right.
You deliberately are not mentioning the fact that Japan has always and within treaty rights, had the right to hunt a set number each year for scientific research.
This is a fact. You can argue whether they are obeying the spirit of the treaty but they ARE within their rights and nothing legally can be done about it. Enter the Greenpeace terrorists.
> You should, your country is headed by Helen Clark and you people keep re-electing her.
I have.
And "our people" didn't elect Helen Clark: she formed a government in accordance with our rules but in a slimy under-handed way. And even if we *had* elected her, it's none of your business anyrate.
Where is the KOFIMAN???
I suspect that whaling doesn't provide enough money to easily skim off a bunch for Kofi, Kojo and the other UN conies.
Re-read your posts. You come off rather rude and bigioted against the Japanese. Your obsession is one I have seen before with people who have not taken their lithium. Deal with it.
> If I have to choose between "Japanese bullies" and Greenpeace scum, I'll side with the "Japanese bullies" every time.
More the fool you.
When she runs off her mouth AGAINST the US, it makes it my business.
> Your obsession is one I have seen before with people who have not taken their lithium. Deal with it.
I'll be certain to seek your advice next time I require medical attention.
Greenpeace says the same thing about any animal we hunt in this country. Do you defend that also?
> When she runs off her mouth AGAINST the US, it makes it my business.
Last time I checked, you're not entitled to a vote in NZ. I didn't vote for her, either. But bad-mouth my Country and you'll make me real upset.
Is that about it? I'm sorry, but I don't follow that logic train. I guess you'll just have to get real upset then.
Paul Watson, the leader/guru/moneyraiser of the SSS is a certifiable loon. He's a cult leader as much as anything. He believes the optimum human "carrying capacity" of the USA is 2 or 3 million, living like pre-1492 indians. His goal is chaos, with the aim of reducing the "disease" of human population from the planet.
I'm pretty sure the whales Japan hunts are Minske whales which are not almost extinct.
Greenpeace makes many claims about hunting any animal in this country.
You have a very cute little country. Some day China is going to make you a vacation theme park and dairy. They will send about 0.0001% of their military to Kiwiland and will be in complete control in 48 hours. Maybe they will keep you on to milk cows and herd sheep, but probably not. Chinese are very pragmatic.
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