Whaling (JP) Debate: Lawmakers' group pushes for whaling

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http://www.asahi.com/english/national/K2002050300190.html

 

Whaling Debate: Lawmakers' group pushes for whaling

 

The Asahi Shimbun

 

A newly formed group of 118 Diet members is stepping

up efforts to resume commercial whaling, a move

critics say goes against the tide of wildlife

protection.

 

The parliamentarians, from seven major parties, set up

the group known as SUPU Japan on April 24, the day

before the monthlong annual conference of the

International Whaling Commission started in

Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

 

Representatives of ivory, tortoise-shell and

reptile-skin craft organizations, as well as the Japan

Whaling Association, attended SUPU Japan's

inauguration meeting.

 

In cooperation with the U.S.-based Sustainable Use

Parliamentarians Union (SUPU), the Japanese group is

set to push for the sustainable use of biological

resources, including whales.

 

But conservationists say the lawmakers are swimming

against the international stream of conservation.

 

Opponents warn the group will spark international

criticism.

 

``Is it more important for Japanese politicians to

protect industry organizations than wildlife?'' asked

Naoko Funahashi, a Japanese representative of the

International Fund for Animal Welfare.

 

On May 19, a day before the IWC general meetings open

for a five-day session, SUPU Japan will hold a forum

in Shimonoseki to appeal Japan's cause and push for

the lifting of the world body's moratorium on

commercial whaling.

 

The Japanese parliamentarians will be joined by

Richard Pombo, a U.S. congressman and long-time

advocate of hunting as a hobby. Pombo set up SUPU in

2000.

 

Parliamentarians from Norway, which continues whaling,

Canada, the United States and other countries have

taken part in the SUPU movement.

 

Despite criticism from conservationists and animal

welfare activists, SUPU has called for the sustainable

use of wildlife. It has made its pitch on such

occasions as a meeting of parties to the Washington

Convention, which restricts trade in endangered

species.

 

In November 2000, SUPU issued an appeal supporting

Japan's research whaling.

 

Shunichi Suzuki, a member of the Liberal Democratic

Party and leading member of SUPU Japan, said,

``Pombo's philosophy of sustainable use of wildlife on

a scientific basis meets our cause on

whaling.''(IHT/Asahi: May 3,2002)

 

(05/03)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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