Is Australia now softening its whaling opposition?
After a great start to a new regime Australia’s Rudd Government appears to be backing away from directly confronting Japan on the whaling issue.
The fight in the Southern oceans has now largely been left to the stalwarts of Sea Shepherd and sadly, if recent news items are correct, the Australian Government is not only refraining from direct involvement it is now creating problems for Sea Shepherd through stalling processes. That is clear evidence that the Australian Government is capitulating to the Japanese!
Japan has cheated, bullied, ignored and acted cavalier throughtout the years to gain its way now we are finding even the Australian authorities “running-up” the white flag in essence.
This will leave Sea Shepherd in an impossible situation and I ask Prime Minister Rudd to show some fortitude in these vitally important times.
The Australians were never ones to “shy away” from fighting for what is right – why should that change now?
November 23, 2008 at 4:35 am
it’s an odd one. On the one hand, Kevin Rudd is a bit whizzbang on the diplomatic strategy front and it may well be that giving Japan a pause from the shaming campaign might actually enhance the negotiations’ chance of ultimate success. On the other hand, Peter Garrett has been incredibly disappointing on almost the entirety of his portfolio since he received it and letting pressure off Japan now might be the exact opposite of what is needed.
Either way, don’t worry about Sea Shepherd – they’ve been going it alone for years and as long as they don’t have the government lambasting them and threatening them with charges of terrorism the way that Howard’s loonies tried to then they’ll be able to put all their effort into the job and no doubt save 400 to 500 whales, yet again.
But it would be nice to see Aussie naval vessels protecting living whales, rather than filming dead ones, wouldn’t it?
December 7, 2008 at 7:17 am
These are the links to fight the secret dolphin slaughter in Japan. http://tinyurl.com/5nn3na
They urgently need your help now.
Please pass this on to every one you know.
Thanks
Lesley