Clinton Retaliates Against Japan Whaling

W A S H I N G T O N, Sept. 13 -- President Bill Clintonbanned Japan from future access to fishing rights in U.S.waters today and threatened economic sanctions if itdoes not curtail an expanded hunt on whales.

The action was in response to Japan’s decision in July toexpand its whale hunt to include Bryde’s and sperm whales,which have been safe from harpoons for years and are protectedby U.S. law. Japanese whaling had previously been limited tominke whales.

“I hope that the steps we take today will encourage Japanto reverse its actions and respect the strong internationalconsensus that has helped bring back some of Earth’s mostmajestic creatures,” Clinton said in a statement.

Denial of Future Allotments

Clinton ordered that Japan be denied access to allotmentsfor fishing in U.S. waters. There is currently no foreignfishing in U.S. waters, but new allotments for foreign fishingin these waters are expected to be approved later this year.

Unless Japan rolls back its whaling program, it will bebanned from consideration for access, Commerce Secretary NormanMineta said.

Officials were also studying whether to stop foreignvessels who sell export seafood to Japan from fishing in U.S.waters.

“We’re hopeful that the Japanese government will heed theprotests of the international community and reverse itsaction,” said White House Chief of Staff John Podesta.

International Whaling Protections

Mineta formally certified that Japan’s actions wereundermining international whaling protections. He said thecertification would trigger a 60-day process to consider tradesanctions against Japan.

The president was also directing several cabinetsecretaries to consider additional actions the United Statescould take.

Podesta and Mineta, briefing reporters at the White House,would not elaborate on what Japanese exports could beconsidered for sanctions, but other officials said they wouldinclude seafood.