The Southern Atlantic Whale Sanctuary - not this time round
Posted by Dave (live from the International Whaling Commission in Anchorage, Alaska)
As I write from the IWC's meeting room, the meeting has gotten bogged down in discussions about Greenland subsistence quotas and procedures about how the Scientific Committee. Riveting stuff.
Earlier, the proposal by Brazil and Argentina for a Southern Atlantic Whale Sanctuary was sadly defeated - it needed a 3/4 majority to pass, and managed to secure 60%. Milko, our Latin American campaigner is confident that the sanctuary will be adopted by next year's meeting.
Curiously, Guatemala, a country that had earlier associated itself with the sanctuary, abstained - which was very unhelpful. It's hard to know why - according to Milko, there had been great media coverage in Guatemala about how the country was now supporting the conservation of whales - but perhaps they're leaning back towards the pro-whaling side?
In yesterday's posts, I forgot to include an anecdote from yesterday's IWC day #2. I was in the men's room in the basement, washing my hands. I glance up to the mirror and saw two men behind me, one behind the other. The man at the back had a knife poised at the back of the other man's next.
I spun around. They were both in suits, wearing classic bodyguard-style earpieces. The knife man had a firm grasp on the collar of the other, and was bringing his blade closer.
What the?
They caught me looking, goggle-eyed.
"Oh, the label on my shirt was driving me crazy", said the would-be victim, smiling. The two plain clothes security men realised my shock, and descended into giggles.
It's now 9pm at the IWC. We've been here since 9am. The Chair, Bill Hogarth, has warned that the Hotel needs the room from 5pm tomorrow - there's a wedding that needs the room. Business needs to get sorted...
- Dave
Comments
Is there an official representative from Greece in Anchorage? And if yes, how does Greece vote so far?
Posted by: PiKei | May 31, 2007 5:01 PM
Hi Pikei - yes, the Greek commissioner is here, and yes he's pro-conservation!
Posted by: Dave | June 1, 2007 12:27 AM