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Sustainable
eNews |
October 2002 |
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IWMC
World Conservation Trust |
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An Injection of Diplomacy
for a Sick IWC
By Jaques Berney
IWMC Executive Vice-Presidentx
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Sometimes when a patient is ill, isolation and quiet
discussion can help immensely in aiding both the diagnosis and the
treatment. Such was apparently the case at the intersessional meeting of
the IWC in Cambridge, England, where Parties met to work out a number of
problems that have been affecting the health of the International Whaling
Commission.
 Two disturbing symptoms had to be addressed, since they were part of a
dramatic stalemate in IWC procedure in Shimonoseki. One was the membership
status of Iceland, whose leadership had paid the nation's dues, and had
affirmed that Iceland would abide by the 1946 ICRW. However, Iceland wished
to come back to the IWC with a reservation to the moratorium, and the
anti-whaling nations objected. (Fearing, perhaps, that other nations would
try to do the same thing, and objecting to the precedent. Iceland would be
one more pro-whaling vote for resumption of whaling). Extremist NGOs pressed anti-whaling governments to remain firm on their previous
refusal to allow Iceland to be a full voting member. For the second year,
Iceland's votes were not counted. The anti-whaling IWC membership had again
prevented a new member from exercising ordinary membership rights. Noises
of international displeasure and indigestion accompanied this sign of
trouble in the international body. The IWC became even sicker at
Shimonoseki.
The second symptom of a dysfunctional body was disclosed when Japan and
most of the other pro-whaling nations, had all objected to granting the
Alaskan/Russian native quota for bowheads by consensus. Without consensus,
the quota item had to go to a vote, and it failed to receive the 2/3
majority for approval. Japan then suggested that if the IWC decided to
grant Japan's coastal villages their 16th request for
an interim quota of 50 minke whales, that Japan would consent to a bowhead
quota that in itself, demonstrated a double-standard, being higher for
aboriginal subsistence than it would have been for commercial use. The
Parties left Shimonoseki in turmoil. The Alaskan and Russian natives were
angry and concerned. Their nations' leaders were angry, and the world
watched to see how this all would be handled. An intersessional meeting was
necessary to treat the illness and calm the patients.
These crucial issues were discussed and resolved in Cambridge, England,
on October 14, 2002. Long story short, the Inuit peoples have their 5-year
bowhead quota, and the Icelanders have full voting privileges. Their
reservation to the moratorium is preserved, intact. Iceland promises not to
whale until 2006, unless IWC gives a quota sooner.
This was much more than a victory for Native rights, and much more than
the addition of one more pro-whaling vote in the IWC. This was a victory
for a return to traditional diplomacy. IWMC applauds all who took part in
this development, because two grave situations have been alleviated. Any
easing of the nasty polarity that has existed at IWC is a victory for
sovereign nations, and for their citizens. When sovereign Parties can deal
honestly with each other in the traditional ways, it is a sign of a healthy
organization. Good luck to the Alaskan and Russian Inuit, and to the
Icelanders. Best wishes to all the world's whalers, who want only to resume
their traditions in a decent and sustainable manner, within the
science-based, people-friendly, environment mandated by the ICRW. Good job,
IWC Parties. 
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