Australia gathers proof on Japan's whaling bribes [View All]

[Barrett808]

Source: The Age

Australia gathers proof on Japan's whaling bribes
Chris Hammer, Honiara, Solomon Islands, and Andrew Darby Hobart
March 9, 2008

THE Australian Government has gained fresh ammunition in its battle to stop "scientific" whaling, exposing Japanese vote-buying at the International Whaling Commission.

One of the whaler's key Pacific supporters, the Solomon Islands, has frankly admitted to Australia that Japanese interests normally finance its trips to the whaling commission, which is finely balanced between pro and anti-whaling groups.

"Usually Japan pays for our attendance," Prime Minister Derek Sikua said. But he said the Solomons had declined to attend a special closed meeting on the future of the IWC that wound up in London last night.

"This time we have refused their assistance, so we haven't gone because we can't afford it," Mr Sikua said. He was unable to say how much the support of the Solomons had cost the Japanese in previous years.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/australia-gathers-proof-on-japans-whaling-bribes/2008/03/08/1204780131619.html