Japan, Australia agree on diplomacy to solve whaling row

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Agence France-Presse

Japan, Australia agree on diplomacy to solve whaling row
49 mins ago

LIMA (AFP) – Japan and Australia said Wednesday they were doing everything they could to diplomatically resolve an emotionally charged dispute over whaling, though officials' remarks showed divisions remained deep.

Japan's fleet set off Monday to the Antarctic Ocean with plans to slaughter hundreds of whales despite strong opposition from Australia and New Zealand, where whale-watching is a popular pastime.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith discussed the issue with his Japanese counterpart Hirofumi Nakasone ahead of a meeting of Asia-Pacific ministers and leaders in Peru's capital Lima.

Smith said "it is a difficult issue between our two countries" but stressed that "we continue to apply all diplomatic means" to address the disagreement.

He told reporters he and Nakasone both believed "that the disagreement over whaling (should) not become an issue that is out of proportion to the fundamental strength of the (bilateral) relationship."



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081119/sc_afp/apecsummitjapanaustraliawhaling