Australia files suit with international court to halt Japan`s whaling

BRUSSELS, May 31 Kyodo -
The Australian government on Monday filed a lawsuit with the International
Court of Justice to halt Japanese whaling for ''scientific research'' in
Antarctic waters, according to the Japanese Embassy in the Netherlands.
Japan has yet to make a decision whether to confront Australia and defend its
whaling program before the world tribunal at The Hague.
In a statement released last week, the Australian government said the decision
to take Japan to the international court reflects the nation's commitment to
permanently ending Japan's so-called ''scientific'' whaling in the southern
seas.
''It also demonstrates our commitment to do what it takes to end whaling
globally,'' the statement said.
''We have been patient and committed in our efforts to find a diplomatic
resolution to this issue,'' the statement said, recalling that Australia has
engaged in intensive discussions in the International Whaling Commission and
bilaterally with Japan.
''But to date, the response of the whaling countries has not been positive.
Recent statements by whaling countries in the Commission have provided
Australia with little cause for hope that our serious commitment to
conservation of the world's whales will be reflected in any potential IWC
compromise agreement,'' the statement said.
The statement said Australia will continue to engage in the IWC process ahead
of next month's meeting in Morocco.
Japan's whaling program in Antarctic waters is based on Article 8 of the 1946
International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, which allows IWC member
countries to hunt whales for ''scientific research'' purposes.
Australia has criticized the Japanese whaling program as a disguise for
commercial whaling, which is banned by the IOC.
==Kyodo