30 January 2007
Hypocrisy on the high seas?
Posted by Sara, on the Esperanza
One of the key demands of this campaign is that governments act at the highest level to stop whaling.The Japanese government has been hugely effective in pouring millions of yen and government hours into doing the opposite - advancing their position through diplomatic and economic channels year on year. But it seems that despite their rhetoric, some governments might be too concerned with appeasing a trading partner than they are about defending the whales.
Only a few weeks ago it was reported that the Japanese government had intervened to ensure three countries, the UK, Belize and Canada de-register the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's ship, Farley Mowat. Today we heard they had succeeded in putting pressure on the UK once again and the British Registry of Ships has now de-flagged their second ship, Robert Hunter. Both ships are now sailing as stateless, pirate vessels.
Greenpeace does not work with Sea Shepherd, but that doesn't mean we won't object when there is more than a whiff of political motivation and hypocrisy behind this decision.
The UK government claims to be on the side of the whales, yet not only did Prime Minister Tony Blair refuse to raise this issue with his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Abe during an official visit to the UK, but it would seem they are happy to actively help the Japanese government de-flag a vessel that has not been involved in any criminal activity.
For years Greenpeace has campaigned to get governments, including the UK and Canada to de-flag vessels that are illegally fishing or polluting. I can't begin to tell how often we are told how difficult it is to take action and it most certainly can't be done without physical evidence of a crime being committed. How then, can the Robert Hunter be so quickly dispatched?
This is blatant hypocrisy. Mr. Blair - stop de-flagging vessels that have no criminal history and focus on the endless dossiers sent to you from Greenpeace and other organisations that give clear evidence of pirate fishing and pollution. And then start pushing back the pressure on Japan to stop whaling on the high seas. Until then, forget about claiming any credit for saving whales or any other parts of the ocean for that matter.
- Sara
Comments
Sara, Thanks for exposing PM Blair's blatant hypocrisy! It's sad that a ship named after someone as heroic as Bob Hunter, and crewed by Rod Marining (Bob Hunter and Paul Watson's orginal greenpeace crew member and friend) could be de-flagged by a hypocrite like Blair. Is there no end to how far countries will go to appease Japan?
Posted by: seabouy at January 31, 2007 1:37 AM
Could we get PM Blairs contact info so we can give him some input on how we feel?
Posted by: Andre Inglis at January 31, 2007 8:42 AM
This is absolutely outrageous!!
And i agree with Andre Inglis, is there anywhere that we can contact the PM to show the hypocrite how ridiculous he is being?
Posted by: Noemie at January 31, 2007 10:53 AM
Hi - could you provide us with some contact info so we can protest this action by Blair. Also any other people we could contact. Thanks. Maybe WDCS can do something.
Interesting to see Japanese government play their next card.
My bet is it will be some trumped up charges to keep Greenpeace ships out of Southern Ocean.
Sounds like Japan is getting desperate in their efforts to continue whaling. If other anti-whaling nations don't protest Blair's actions, then they are hypocrites too.
Posted by: echo at January 31, 2007 3:06 PM
The English have lost a lot of my respect in this. I feel that the old UK would have regarded the Sea Shepherd and its crew heroic, as I do. Mr. Blair does seem to have a history of caving to other goverments whims. Pity.
Posted by: dolphinlink![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://weblog.greenpeace.org/oceandefenders/nav-commenters.gif)
at January 31, 2007 6:35 PM
I can't help it. This wry smile has not gone away since I heard of the fire raging aboard the Japanese slaughter vessel Nisshin Maru..... fueled from whale oil I gather.
Dave on the Esperanza: Walter, while they're no longer whaling, this is no laughing matter. This could be a humanitarian and environmental crisis that we have on our hands.
Posted by: Walter Freeman at February 15, 2007 11:24 PM
Thank you Greenpeace for voicing a strong statement regarding the ruthless de-flagging of both Sea Shepherd's Ships, "Robert Hunter" and "Farley Mowat" and recognizing the fact that Japan has put enormous pressure on Nations to disable Anti-Whaling organizations. This proves the Whaling Nations fear the effectiveness of this group. Robert Hunter's daughter is one of the crewmembers on board Sea Shepherd ship. Beware, Greenpeace, the Pro-Whaling Nations are surely after you also.
Posted by: Terri OZ at February 24, 2007 1:11 AM
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