By Well it looks like the whaling nonsense between Australia and Japan is about to heat up:
The Australian government has publicly announced that it will begin formal proceedings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague next week against Japan over its whaling practices in the Antarctic. Japan kills hundreds of whales every year that, it says, are used for scientific purposes. Australia “will argue that the annual whaling hunt in the Southern Ocean is in violation of an international ban on commercial whaling,” the BBC reported. “Critics say this is a cover for commercial whaling and that whale meat not used in research is sold for food.” The international ban has been in place for a quarter century, but the International Whaling Commission will meet in Morocco next month to consider a new approach to whaling. The new approach would permit commercial whaling to begin once again, but with strict quotas. “Conservationists have broadly welcomed the legal action, praising the government of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for standing up to Japan,” the BBC reported. There is some concern that legal action could harm the relationship between the two countries, as Japan is Australia’s second biggest trading partner. While the Japanese fisheries ministry called the announcement “very disappointing,” Stephen Smith, the Australian foreign minister, “said the two countries have agreed to treat the matter as ‘an independent legal arbitration of a disagreement between friends,’ “ [Slate]
The obvious question is why now and the political opposition in Australia says it is because Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is a lot of political trouble right now due to his failed spending plans and tax increases and this a diversionary tactic.
I would be very surprised if the court even take this case up because it is absurd. This would be like India suing Australia for eating cows. Instead of this political theater Prime Minister Rudd would be better off supporting the New Zealand Compromise, which would really reduce the number of whales being hunted each year.
5:46 pm on May 31st, 2010 1
Hey GI Korea,
How ya doin? Long time no talk or read. Been busy but have kept up some. Well something had to happen with that situation and I for one am curious to see where this will go. If it would stop whaling it would be a miracle of its own but the Japanese like whale meat, and will take it where ever they are allowed. I know there are allot of things happening in this world that aren't so great by the hand of man. This should at least put a stop to some whaling. We as man kind do not need to take whales for food. I don't know how much Japan saves by taking whales but the days of doing this are gone. We have equipment far to advanced to be using for whaling. The whales don't stand a chance, and were nearly ran extinct before we had equipment like modern. I know none of this is news but Like I said I am curious to see where this goes. Thanks for the article. Duffy
5:35 pm on June 1st, 2010 2
Kevin Rudd the Australian Prime Minister is a liar, hypocrite, thief, wimp, and a douche. I'm ashamed to have him as Prime Minister, and ashamed that so many Australians are so gullible, and stupid that they voted for the slime ball.
6:50 pm on June 1st, 2010 3
Japanese whaling is done under the cover of scientific research.
http://www.icrwhale.org/WhatsResearchAbout.htm
Their research requires whale vivisection. Since they are one of the few doing such research, it is hard to dispute their findings. Not surprisingly, much of what they have discovered suggests that there are over-populations of some whale species and implies the need for culling.