Fed: Australian leads 31 countries in Japan whaling protest

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2007
Fed: Australian leads 31 countries in Japan whaling protest

Australia has led the largest ever formal international diplomatic protest of 31 countries
against Japan's whaling program.

Japan says it will slaughter almost one thousand whales in the Southern Ocean despite
humpbacks receiving a temporary reprieve.

Foreign Affairs Minister STEPHEN SMITH said yesterday he's spoken to his Japanese counterpart
MASAHIKO KOMURA and welcomed the move to stop hunting humpbacks.

But he says the Australian government and people have a strong opposition to any whaling.

Australia's ambassador in Tokyo .. MURRAY MCLEAN .. has presented the Japanese government
with Canberra's protest .. and has been joined by 31 countries.





Other countries protesting include the United Kingdom .. New Zealand .. France .. Germany
.. Italy .. Sweden .. Brazil .. Chile and Mexico .. while the European Commission also
participated.

AAP RTV jb/wz/crh

KEYWORD: WHALING (CANBERRA)

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