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AUSTRALIA WELCOMES JAPAN’S SUSPENSION OF HUMPBACK WHALING
Australia has welcomed Japan’s suspension of its plans to kill humpback whales in the Southern Ocean this season.
Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Stephen Smith, said that while Japan’s decision was a welcome move, Australia would continue to urge Japan to bring an end to its lethal so-called 'scientific whaling' program.
“The Australian Government strongly believes that there is no credible justification for the hunting of any whales and will vigorously pursue its efforts, announced earlier this week, to see an end to whaling by Japan.”
“While welcoming the announcement with respect to humpback whales, Australia also led a formal diplomatic protest - known as a demarche - in Tokyo to mark the start of Japan's 2007-08 whaling season,” Mr. Smith said.
The protest was presented by Australia's Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Murray McLean, and the 31 participants who joined the protest made it the largest international protest of this kind against Japan's whaling program.
Mr. Smith said that the strength of international support for protest showed the strong international concern over Japan's whaling program.
“The formal diplomatic protest sends a very powerful signal to the Government of Japan,” the Australian Foreign Minister said.
The countries which joined Australia's lead in voicing opposition to Japan's whaling program were: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The United Kingdom and Uruguay. The European Commission also participated in the protest.
Mr. Smith also spoke to Japan's Foreign Minister, Koumura and both ministers affirmed their mutual intention to strengthen bilateral relations and co-operation between the two countries.
Mr. Smith welcomed Japan's decision to suspend killing humpback whales and conveyed to Foreign Minister Koumura the strong opposition of the Australian Government and the Australian people to whaling.
Mr. Smith noted that while Australia and Japan disagreed about this issue, it would not affect the continuing strength of the warm and productive relationship between Australia and Japan.
Canberra
28 December 2007