Vandalized Scientists Should Not Appologize
To Animal Rights Vandals?

“New Zealand has its priorities upside down.  The scientific data gathered by Japanese research vessels has provided the world with a sound scientific basis for a global whale management plan, a much needed conservation tool that has been stalled by Greenpeace and its colleagues for more than a decade.  For that reason, Prime Minister Clark should applaud Japan and condemn Greenpeace,” said Lapointe, who served as Secretary General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) from 1982-1990.

“Greenpeace’s allegations that Japanese cetacean research is “illegal,” charges parroted by the New Zealand government, amount to no more than international character assassination.  If the Japanese actions were illegal, litigation should be brought.  The truth of the matter is that the Japanese research vessels assaulted by Greenpeace are engaged in quite legal and scholarly endeavors that benefit conservation of whale species worldwide. 

Of the hundreds of millions of dollars Greenpeace has collected over the past 20 years not a shred of credible cetacean research has come from that organization.  Greenpeace’s millions are not spent to benefit whales, they are just used for more elaborate fundraising campaigns.

"Perhaps the Chairman of the International Whaling Commission should have the last word.  During the 1998 IWC meetings in Antigua, Chairman Michael Canny said 'everything Japan and Norway do, under IWC, is perfectly legal. They are two very respectful sovereign nations'.  The New Zealand Prime Minister and Greenpeace are fully aware of the legality of Japan's activities", said Lapointe.�