Asia home page | Asia Breaking News

Visit our special sections for latest developments and analysis:

IWC set to discuss S.Pacific sanctuary

The International Whaling Commission is set to debate an Australian proposal for a South Pacific whale sanctuary when it resumes discussions later today.

Tokyo correspondent Mark Simkin reports from the former Japanese whaling town of Shimonoseki.

Yesterday, a Japanese plan to introduce secret ballots at the Commission meeting was defeated.

Japan had argued the proposal would shield small countries from undue pressure, but several nations including Australia said it would've reduced transparency

The proposal is being pushed by New Zealand and Australia. The two countries argue that the South Pacific contains critical whale breeding grounds and migratory routes. Despite strong support from South Pacific nations, the plan is unlikely to win sufficient support at the I.W.C. The issue will be debated later this morning.

21/05/2002 10:07:16 | ABC Radio Australia News

More Asia Breaking News 27/05/2002 15:04:13 Divers search for flight recorders from Taiwan aircrash 27/05/2002 13:47:24 India says Pakistan missile tests are just antics 27/05/2002 10:04:58 China Air flight recorders to be recovered 27/05/2002 07:31:54 India and Indonesia to look for gas in Iraq 27/05/2002 04:01:13 Pakistan President to address the nation tomorrow 27/05/2002 03:16:01 China Air plan breaks into four pieces in mid air before crash

Back

Related Stories

21/05/2002 11:03:06
Japan accuses New Zealand of hypocrisy over whaling ban

21/05/2002 07:07:16
Japan loses vote in Whaling Commission hearing

20/05/2002 22:30:43
Anti-whalers counteract Japan's influence in Whaling Commission

20/05/2002 19:53:17
International Whaling Commission begins meeting in Japan

Related Sites

World News from Radio Australia
News across Asia, the Pacific and beyond.