IWC Venue Change Annoys Lapointe

Nelson, New Zealand - 18 November 2000: The President of IWMC World Conservation Trust, Eugene Lapointe, today questioned the objectivity of both the newly-elected chairman of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and his ability to implement decisions of the Commission.

Mr Lapointe said the chairman of the IWC, Bo Fernholm, has arbitrarily overruled a decision made by the Commission at its 52nd annual meeting in Adelaide in July 2000 to hold an inter-sessional working group meeting in Japan to complete the IWC’s Revised Management Scheme (RMS).

The RMS will provide international procedures for sustainable whaling.

"Mr Fernholm made this decision following a call for a new meeting venue by the Government of the United States, in its protest over Japan’s whale research programme in the North Pacific. This resulted in the Government of Monaco offering to host the meeting.

"Notwithstanding the Commission’s decision to hold the meeting in Japan, the chairman surprisingly undertook a postal vote to decide the venue for that meeting. This means that Mr Fernholm believes he can simply overrule on a whim any decision made by the Commission," Mr Lapointe said. "This sets a bad precedent for any democratic body and the orderly work of the Commission."

"This action is part of a backlash by those opposed to the resumption of sustainable whaling against progress made on the RMS at the Adelaide meeting," Mr Lapointe said. "The chairman’s position is one of neutrality, and he should avoid the perception he is being manipulated by anti-whaling Government’s and Non-Governmental Organisations."

"IWMC suggests the chairman holds a postal vote to reconsider his own election as leader of the Commission, a decision which also took place at the Adelaide meeting."

"Moreover, we are looking forward to reviewing the draft regulations for implementing the Commission’s RMS from the IWC’s secretary by the end of November, again as decided by the Commission," Mr Lapointe said.�