January 16, 2000   
Press release from Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
NORWAY BREAKS BAN ON WHALE TRADE
Escalation of "whale wars" grounds for immediate trade sanctions

In the most serious breach of the international protections established for whales since Norway returned to commercial whale hunting in 1992 in defiance of the global ban, that nation today lifted its ban on the export of whale products. The majority of the stored whale blubber in Norway would go to Japan, reaping a windfall profit for Norway's whalers. Jubilant whalers have said that lifting the export ban is "like winning the lottery."

It is also likely to be the most immediate international environmental challenge to the incoming U.S. administration. Norway has exempted itself from the ban on international trade on whale products, as it previously claimed exemption to the ban on commercial hunting.

"Norway is betting that the new administration will be as reluctant as the last one to administer trade sanctions, but Republicans actually have a better track record than Democrats in this area; they have supported our anti-whaling activities," said Paul Watson, president of Sea Shepherd International. "No one can doubt that Norway's whalers were emboldened by the Clinton administration's failure to impose sanctions on Japan for the aggressive extension of their so-called "research" whale hunt last year," Watson said. "We are hopeful that President Bush will uphold his obligation to enforce the Pelly Amendment and impose sanctions against nations that undermine the protections provided for whales under international law."

"In response to Norway's action, there should be no more negotiations, meetings, warnings, or pleadings - the last eight years have conclusively demonstrated one thing: Such tactics do nothing but make the situation worse. Norway is saying 'I dare you' to the Bush administration, and with any luck they have finally supplied the rope with which to hang themselves."

Watson, who received a presidential Daily Point of Light citation in 1999 in recognition of his efforts to oppose illegal whaling, will be making a personal appeal to President Bush.

"We remind Mr. Bush that just before his father left office he certified  Norway as undermining the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling when they returned to commercial hunting in defiance of the ban.  There should be no question in the mind of the President-elect that the people of the United States want him to complete his father's work, and embargo all Norwegian seafood products from entry into the United States until Norway's whaling activities cease. Sanctions now, Mr. President." of the global ban, that nation today lifted its ban on the export of whale products. The majority of the stored whale blubber in Norway would go to Japan, reaping a windfall profit for Norway's whalers. Jubilant whalers have said that lifting the export ban is "like winning the lottery."

It is also likely to be the most immediate international environmental challenge to the incoming U.S. administration. Norway has exempted itself from the ban on international trade on whale products, as it previously claimed exemption to the ban on commercial hunting.

"Norway is betting that the new administration will be as reluctant as the last one to administer trade sanctions, but Republicans actually have a better track record than Democrats in this area; they have supported our anti-whaling activities," said Paul Watson, president of Sea Shepherd International. "No one can doubt that Norway's whalers were emboldened by the Clinton administration's failure to impose sanctions on Japan for the aggressive extension of their so-called "research" whale hunt last year,"  Watson said. "We are hopeful that President Bush will uphold his obligation
to enforce the Pelly Amendment and impose sanctions against nations that undermine the protections provided for whales under international law."  "In response to Norway's action, there should be no more negotiations, meetings, warnings, or pleadings - the last eight years have conclusively demonstrated one thing: Such tactics do nothing but make the situation worse. Norway is saying 'I dare you' to the Bush administration, and with any luck they have finally supplied the rope with which to hang themselves."

Watson, who received a presidential Daily Point of Light citation in 1999 in recognition of his efforts to oppose illegal whaling, will be making a personal appeal to President Bush.

"We remind Mr. Bush that just before his father left office he certified Norway as undermining the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling when they returned to commercial hunting in defiance of the ban.  There should be no question in the mind of the President-elect that the people of the United States want him to complete his father's work, and embargo all Norwegian seafood products from entry into the United States until Norway's whaling activities cease. Sanctions now, Mr. President."

January 3, 2000                                                                                                                                                             
            President Clinton fails to sanction Japan
The President announced Friday that the US will continue monitoring the Japanese whaling program (as it has been doing for a decade).

"I remain deeply concerned by Japan's unilateral actions," Clinton said
in a report submitted to Congress on U.S. policy toward Japan's expanded whaling program.  For this reason, I have directed the departments of State, Commerce, the Interior and the Treasury, as well as the Office of the United States Trade Representative, to keep this matter under active review.
        "However, I do not believe that import prohibitions would further our objectives at this time. We are committed to a sustained effort in order to bring about positive movement in Japan's whaling policies," he said.  "We are concerned that the presence of these additional species of whales in the Japanese market could increase the risk of derivatives of whale products entering international commerce,"

Instead of imposing sanctions,  the president agreed to a bi-lateral whaling panel with Japan to study the issue, an action that merely postpones any positive action at a time when aboriginal tribes, some abetted by Japan, are proposing a return to full-scale commercial whaling .

Commerce Secretary Norman Mineta expressed approval that Japan has at least shown a willingness to discuss its whaling program but cited concern about Japan's defiance of the majority of the International Whaling Commission member nations and hinted weakly that .
"Japan must realize that it cannot continue to ignore the opinion of an
overwhelming majority of IWC (International Whaling Commission) nations without consequences."

The option to do better now lies with the Bush administration.
(from article in Japan Times December 31, 2000)

January 2, 2001