Posted on 06/17/2014 5:04:16 PM PDT by Leifur
Iceland was not amongst the countries invited to take part in a conference on the world’s oceans, due to the continued practice of whale hunting.
RÚV reports that the conference – Our Ocean – is hosted by US Secretary of State John Kerry. Many countries around the world have been invited to take part in the two-day conference, where subjects such as pollution and sustainability in our world’s oceans will be discussed.
Iceland, despite having sought to participate, has not been invited to take part in the conference, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this because of whale hunting.
While current Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson declined to comment, former Foreign Minister Össur Skarphéðinsson told reporters that the snub was “the most serious action that the Americans have used in their fight against Icelandic whaling”, adding that more punitive measures should be expected in the future.
The news should be of little surprise to many Grapevine readers. As reported last April, the White House issued a statement, signed by US President Barack Obama, which outlined a number of directives the US planned against Iceland due to whaling.
Amongst these directives were to have “the Department of State … re-examine bilateral cooperation projects and, where appropriate, to base U.S. cooperation with Iceland on the Icelandic government changing its whaling policy” as well as to have “[c]abinet secretaries and other senior Administration officials … evaluate the appropriateness of visits to Iceland in light of Iceland’s resumption of fin whaling and ongoing trade in fin whale parts and products.”
“I believe that continuing focus on Icelandic whaling activities is needed to encourage Iceland to halt commercial whaling and support international conservation efforts,” the US president said. “Just as the United States made the transition from a commercial whaling nation to a whale watching nation, we must enhance our engagement with Iceland to facilitate this change.”
It is especially idiotic as Iceland has one of the worlds most succesful marine resource management system and a very good record of a commercially sound, sustainable use of its resources, including whales, which for sentimental reasons seem should be excluded from use. By what argument? Big puppy eyes?
I understand that having a small friend like Iceland doesn´t seem so important maybe to a big fella like you are, but being the protector of the weak and small is your primary counterargument against those accusing you of imperialism.
The US has always had a special place for Icelanders, it is not even exceptionally foreign, due to enormous american influence during our formative years when we were building up a modern society while hosting a sizeable american military presence.
It is not even considered such a treacherous affair that one of our most promising young athleetes elected to use the coincidence he was born in the US to play for the US football (errenously called soccer) team at the World Cup. But I can only imagine the uproar if someone would choose playing for the Danes, or other countries.
Ping
And the Obama regime insults yet another staunch ally...
Isn't there a more appropriate metaphor for "rumor mill" in such a northerly country?
Well, it was either an ally or Leonardo DiCaprio.
As if Iceland really cares about not being invited.
MYOB Barry! (He can’t do that either.)
Perhaps Iceland also should have awarded Hussein Obama a bogus "Peace Prize"?
Perhaps Iceland also should have awarded Hussein Obama a bogus "Peace Prize"?
Thanks for the ping. This almost slipped past me.
Ah, this one. http://ourocean2014.state.gov
Final is by:
CHARTING A PATH FORWARD
Moderated by Under Secretary Catherine Novelli
A distinguished panel led by Secretary Kerry announces new commitments and charts a path forward
Secretary of State John F. Kerry
President Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr., Republic of Palau Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz, Chile
Foreign Minister Børge Brende, Norway
Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, Togo
Managing Director Sri Mulyani Indrawati, World Bank
What the ? Who they plan on hacking?
CALLING ALL HACKERS
If you have design, coding, or project management skills, join your local Fishackathon to help design solutions for sustainable fishing while protecting the welfare of small-scale fisheries in the developing world.
Oh look, pre canned twitter statements...
“Our ocean is at risk, but we can make a difference. Find out what you can do to help protect our ocean: http://state.gov/ourocean #OurOcean2014”
Hmm,. “The provisional conference program is now available. Please note that participation is by invitation only. s “
And, they don’t get to meet Leonardo DiCaprio!
How is Iceland different? It is there heritage and history too. There is only one difference, Icelanders are white.
I was a Navy wife stationed in Keflavik in the 1970s. We even lived off base for a while and the local people were always so friendly to us, but you couldn’t wear a uniform into Reykjavik as they are a socialist country. This was during the Viet Nam era and the base was vital to Cold War intelligence. Iceland was a respected ally.
We visit the whaling station north of Reykjavik. It was fascinating to watch them bring in and process the whales on the cutting floor. (Although really smelly.) They would have a ship with a harpoon on its prow and would tie a whale to each side (If lucky. Usually got only one.) Usually they were baleen whales.
I always thought the sad part was that most of the meat supposedly went to English dog food. Perhaps they wouldn’t whale if there wasn’t a market.
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.