“Despite intense pressure from the Japanese government,” said
Audrey Cardwell of the Greenpeace oceans campaign, “the White House
stood its ground and sent a clear message to Japan – end your
whaling program and your defiance of international conservation
treaties. Now our supporters will pressure the U.S. Government to
take the next step of imposing economic sanctions.”
Secretary Mineta’s letter of certification detailed a long
history of problems with Japan over their “scientific” whale hunts
where the “researched” whales end up as high-priced delicacy foods
on the Japanese gourmet market. “This is the third time Japan has
been certified for so-called scientific research whaling,” said
Secretary Mineta in the letter. “The first was in 1988, when Japan
initiated its Antarctic program that now entails an annual take of
440 minke whales. The second was in 1995, after Japan extended its
program to the North Pacific, where it has been killing 100 minke
whales per year. This spring, Japan proposed an expansion of the
North Pacific program, to include the take of 10 sperm whales and
50 Bryde’s whales.”
Mineta’s certification of Japan today under the Pelly Amendment
to The fishermen’s Protective Act of 1967 triggers a process for
the president to consider trade sanctions against Japan and report
any actions he may take to Congress within 60 days. President
Clinton has directed his cabinet to report back to him prior to the
end of the 60-day period. The Departments of Treasury, Commerce,
State, Interior and the U.S. Trade Representative will look at
additional measures, including such steps as ensuring that items
imported into the United States do not include any whale by-
products.
Greenpeace is now urging that this process not lose momentum,
but proceed with sanctions as soon as possible. Japan is also
facing growing charges of extortionary vote buying by offering aid
to developing countries in return for votes at the International
Whaling Commission (IWC), other conservation bodies, and even the
United Nations.
“The Japanese government has been allowing a desperate and dying
industry to jeopardize its respect and position among its allies
and trading partners. It is time the leaders of Japan took control
of its foreign policy and relegated an unnecessary industry to the
pages of history where it belongs,” said Cardwell. “Japan does not
need these whale products.”
Several delegations of Japanese government officials were in the
nation’s capitol, today as well, exerting pressure and threatening
the possibility of a W.T.O. court case against the U.S. if it takes
this action.
