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Whaling case will not damage relations with Japan, says attorney general | Whaling case will not damage relations with Japan, says attorney general |
(35 minutes later) | |
The attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, says the Australia-Japan relationship will survive a bruising legal confrontation currently wrapping up in The Hague over whaling in the Antarctic. | The attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, says the Australia-Japan relationship will survive a bruising legal confrontation currently wrapping up in The Hague over whaling in the Antarctic. |
Dreyfus told the Sydney Institute on Tuesday night that the case before the international court of justice (ICJ) had seen robust exchanges, as Australia made its case against Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean. But he insisted the two countries had approached the legal process as friends. “It is as friends that we have come to the international court to resolve a long-standing difference that we have been unable to resolve through over 20 years of diplomacy,” Dreyfus said. | Dreyfus told the Sydney Institute on Tuesday night that the case before the international court of justice (ICJ) had seen robust exchanges, as Australia made its case against Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean. But he insisted the two countries had approached the legal process as friends. “It is as friends that we have come to the international court to resolve a long-standing difference that we have been unable to resolve through over 20 years of diplomacy,” Dreyfus said. |
The attorney general, who appeared in the ICJ last week as Australia’s advocate, admitted surprise “at the robust nature of the advocacy before the international court”. He said: “I have attended numerous diplomatic conferences and events, and this was clearly not one of them.” | The attorney general, who appeared in the ICJ last week as Australia’s advocate, admitted surprise “at the robust nature of the advocacy before the international court”. He said: “I have attended numerous diplomatic conferences and events, and this was clearly not one of them.” |
He noted there had been commentary in Australia that the whaling case would damage an important bilateral relationship. “This is a legitimate concern, but I am confident that it is not well-founded,” Dreyfus said. | He noted there had been commentary in Australia that the whaling case would damage an important bilateral relationship. “This is a legitimate concern, but I am confident that it is not well-founded,” Dreyfus said. |
“In discussing our case publicly I have always emphasised that Australia and Japan have a deep and lasting friendship, and co-operate on a wide range of important issues.” | “In discussing our case publicly I have always emphasised that Australia and Japan have a deep and lasting friendship, and co-operate on a wide range of important issues.” |
Japan concluded its arguments in the case on Monday evening. In closing submissions, Japan accused Australia of an affront to its national dignity. This remark related to Australia’s argument that Japan had lied about the true purpose of its whaling program. | Japan concluded its arguments in the case on Monday evening. In closing submissions, Japan accused Australia of an affront to its national dignity. This remark related to Australia’s argument that Japan had lied about the true purpose of its whaling program. |
Australia’s argument in the case is that Japan has subverted the international moratorium on commercial whaling by claiming that its annual whaling program in the Southern Ocean is being undertaken for scientific purposes. Australia argues Japan has killed more than 10,000 whales for commercial, not scientific purposes, since the moratorium came into force. | Australia’s argument in the case is that Japan has subverted the international moratorium on commercial whaling by claiming that its annual whaling program in the Southern Ocean is being undertaken for scientific purposes. Australia argues Japan has killed more than 10,000 whales for commercial, not scientific purposes, since the moratorium came into force. |
The 16 judges will consider the evidence presented in the case, and a ruling is expected later this year. “I think that virtually all Australians hope that the court will accept our arguments, and issue a judgment that brings Japan’s so-called scientific whaling to an end,” Dreyfus said. | The 16 judges will consider the evidence presented in the case, and a ruling is expected later this year. “I think that virtually all Australians hope that the court will accept our arguments, and issue a judgment that brings Japan’s so-called scientific whaling to an end,” Dreyfus said. |
The attorney general also addressed climate change in his speech, highlighting the national security risks posed by global warming. | The attorney general also addressed climate change in his speech, highlighting the national security risks posed by global warming. |