Japan offered bribes for support at whaling meeting

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Mon, 14 Jun 2010 6:20p.m.

Japan denied claims it bribed other countries at the International Whaling Commission (Reuters)

Japan denied claims it bribed other countries at the International Whaling Commission (Reuters)

By Samantha Hayes

An investigation by the Sunday Times newspaper in Britain has uncovered evidence Japan has been bribing small island nations for support at the International Whaling Commission.

Undercover recordings details how Tokyo tried to influence the votes of several other countries.

Japan has denied the claims.

For 24 years, Japan has been limited to what it called “scientific research hunts”, selling the whale meat for a hefty profit.

Allegations suggest islands in the Pacific are offered aid packages for their votes at the IWC.

Other countries targeted by Japan include Nevis, Grenada, Republic of Guinea and Ivory Coast.

One top fisheries official said travel perks and per diems of up to $1000 a day were part of the deal.

An official for Tanzania even said there were prostitutes.

Prime Minister John Key wasn’t surprised by the revelations.

“There are always accusations that those who give money are looking for payback or favours,” he said.
“Whether that is true or not, I don’t really know.”

But for now, Mr Key wants to stick with diplomacy.

As our own Foreign Minister heads to the next IWC meeting in Morocco, these under cover recordings deal another blow to those who hope any progress can be made and strengthens the likelihood the organisation will collapse or become irrelevant.

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Comments

14 Jun 2010 10:54p.m.

Leonard Green wrote:

Ann, the anti-whalers started this process of paying countries to join the IWC in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, that is how they got the votes to pass the 10-year moratorium 24 years ago. So I guess your side is pretty shameful too, in fact since they taught the Japanes jow to do it and since they showed the small countries involved that their votes had a monetary worth, I would be willing to say that your anti-whaling supporters are the cause of the whole situation.

Are you will to confess your shameful actions and seek forgiveness?

14 Jun 2010 10:08p.m.

V wrote:

Reminds me of the Copenhagen Carbon Treaty fraud proposed by the UN and its cronies. At least one gets sushi and sex from the Japanese, rather than Tax and sodomy from the UN.

14 Jun 2010 09:29p.m.

Kiwi wrote:

Big surprise... Lets see, America, China, Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand.... and on and on and on... have been doing this for DECADES! It's called having a foreign policy.

14 Jun 2010 09:04p.m.

JD wrote:

And the anti-whaling countries have not offered incentives and trade deals in return for support. Grow up, this is how businesses and nations all around the globe operate.

14 Jun 2010 08:33p.m.

atrout wrote:

Hey Ann, what surprises me is that you are imposing your own personal values on the buyers and sellers of influence without the slightest understanding that you don't have the moral right to do so. Sure you disagree with whaling but you have no grounds to judge whether or not the negotiators are "shameful" or not. You might exercise a bit more cultural relativism and realise that to them it is just another cost of doing business and is perfectly morally acceptable in their cultural context. You are also a bit on the trendy "anti" sentiment of hating money and means. Envious more likely!! Go with the flow a bit and try to understand other people's points of view. You might get to the moral high ground that way (if you want to be there!!!).

14 Jun 2010 08:03p.m.

cyril wrote:

I wouldnt be surprised if New Zealand and Australia were doing it in there own way to gain support for there cause.

14 Jun 2010 06:49p.m.

Ann wrote:

Why am I not surprise to hear this? Japanese think they can bribe everyone with money and whatever means just so they can get their way with whaling. What a shameful thing to do!