Prime Minister John Key says a diplomatic solution is the only way to end whaling in the Southern Ocean.Speaking at a media conference in Auckland today, Mr Key said he would raise the issue of whaling when he meets US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,
Prime Minister John Key says a diplomatic solution is the only way to end whaling in the Southern Ocean.
Speaking at a media conference in Auckland today, Mr Key said he would raise the issue of whaling when he meets US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who arrives in New Zealand on Friday for a three-day visit.
"There will be an International Whaling Commission meeting in Honolulu later in January, so this will by our last chance to voice our perspectives on that meeting when we see Secretary Clinton on Friday," Mr Key said.
"New Zealand has been working very hard to find a diplomatic solution to the whaling issue.
"Certainly from Australia's, New Zealand's and Japan's perspective, we are looking to find a diplomatic solution."
Mr Key condemned last week's clash between the Sea Shepherd conservation organisation and a Japanese whaling ship which saw a New Zealand registered boat sink.
"It's very inhospitable terrain and it's not practically possible for New Zealand to dispatch rescue vessels to save people if there is a collision in Antarctica. Our view is we'd much rather see a diplomatic solution, rather than the kind of fracas we saw on the Southern Ocean recently.
"I don't think name calling or collisions on the high seas can resolve this issue. It can only be resolved diplomatically, and that's what New Zealand is working very hard to try and achieve, along with other countries like Iceland and Norway," Mr Key said.
It was a long-standing problem and New Zealand has made its position very clear, Mr Key added.
"There has been ongoing discussions and progress has been made, but it's a delicate subject and we need to try and work our way through it.
"This diplomatic solution would see an end to whaling over time," Mr Key said.
He gave no details of the diplomatic solution New Zealand was working on.
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