International Whaling Commission adjourns for private talks

June 21, 2005

A meeting of the in the South Korean city of  has adjourned for private talks with commissioners. The commission had been about to vote on a Japanese plan to increase its catch and to start hunting.

Australia attempted to stop the adjournment accusing Japan of trying to stall the vote.

Nauru, The Gambia, and Togo applied to join the commission last week, but have no voting rights until their membership payments are cleared, which could happen any time during the IWC meeting. The three countries are expected to follow Japan's pro-whaling line.

The 66 member body is currently evenly split between pro- and anti-whaling countries.