Posted on 01/04/2006 12:45:01 PM PST by proud_yank
A STANDOFF between Japanese whalers and environmentalists has escalated with a conservation group claiming the Japanese Government has sent a warship to Antarctic waters to protect its fleet.
The Washington-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society said it had received a tip-off that a Japanese naval ship had been sent to the region to defend its whalers from protesters.
It said it was concerned the warship would try to seize its vessel and those of the two Greenpeace crews shadowing the fleet through the Southern Ocean.
"The Japanese Institute of Cetacean Research has made an open accusation of piracy and eco-terrorism against the Greenpeace Foundation and Sea Shepherd," it said.
"If Japan adopts the false accusations that acts of piracy have been committed against their ships, they can use the accusations as an excuse under international law to attack and seize the ships they accuse."
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's vessel joined two Greenpeace boats in the Antarctic waters last week to try to stop the whale hunt.
Both organisations have been accused of deliberately ramming the whaling boats - an accusation both have denied.
Greenpeace spokesman aboard the Arctic Sunrise Shane Rattenbury said he had been unable to confirm rumours over the weekend, which is also a Japanese national holiday, that the warship was on its way.
But he said it was clear the Japanese whaling fleet was under huge pressure as a result of the presence of the three boats, which were beaming rare images of a whale hunt to the world.
"I think it would certainly raise the stakes because not only would it be a very expensive exercise but sending a military vessel into Antarctic treaty waters would make a very serious diplomatic incident," he said.
Environment Minister Ian Campbell would not comment on the rumour or what action the Australian Government might take if it proved to be true.
But on Friday he accused the Sea Shepherd crew of acting in a "warlike manner" by allegedly trying to damage one of the Japanese whaling vessels.
Senator Campbell also referred an email from the captain of one of the protesting ships to the Minister for Justice and Customs.
The Federal Government has refused requests to send its own naval ship to the Southern Ocean to oversee the whaling fleet, which is hunting in what Australia declares to be its Antarctic territory and a whale sanctuary.
Japan does not recognise Australia's claim to the waters.
Japan's constitution prevents it from sending an offensive force overseas. But in 1992, the Japanese Government passed a special act to allow a Japanese naval vessel to accompany the first shipment of plutonium oxide from France to Japan.
Greenpeace opposed the shipment of plutonium and sent one of its own vessels, the Solo, to shadow the load.
During the first leg of the voyage, the Japanese naval vessel Shikishima was accused of ramming the Greenpeace boat.
The Japanese Fisheries Agency maintains its scientific whaling program is legal.
Don't know if you saw this. Sea Shepherd makes most radicals look sane.
Best French military move of the last 50 years was when they sunk the Greenpeace ship.
And no rescue for the residual puddles of humanity that contitute their terrorist crew.
Oh hell.........just sink the ship..........if they were going to save the whales.....now the whales can save them.
The actions of the Sea Shepherd's Captain
(as he describe it) is a deliberate violation
or maritime conduct. He admits to plotting a course
to intercept (designed to give him right-of-way) in
order to prevent the other commercial ship's operations.
Dropping a line to intentionally foul another's propellers
is directly akin to piracy. Once disabled the ship would
be at the mercy of the sea of the insane Captain's ramming.
The only French military victory since Napoleon.
They certainly couldn't claim the very legal protection they deny others! That would be hypocritical, something a good liberal never is. [cough, cough]
"During the first leg of the voyage, the Japanese naval vessel Shikishima was accused of ramming the Greenpeace boat. "
YAY! Go Japan!
Those dumb enviro-slimeballs should be glad they were just rammed. If I was the captain of the Japanese warship, I would have opened up on them with the 20mm Phalanx CIWS.
Raise the red flag! No quarter asked or given!
I wonder what one of those explosive tipped harpoons they use (if they still use them) would do to the hull of a commercial ship, say below the waterline?
Sink em!
Isn't this bad boy now a coral reef somewhere at the bottom of the sea?
If my memory serves me correctly, this reef was provided courtesy of the U.S.Navy.
Reminds me of the one lonely thing that France has done right in my lifetime.
Too bad Hillary is not in power to sent US war ships to side with the watermelons - her comrades and party members.
I didn't see this one yank, thanks for sending it. I know about Sea Shepherd, hardcore terrorists.
The Japs won't cut 'em any slack, maybe they'll sink 'em.
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