(from "Kujira to Inbou" (Whales and Plots), by Yoshito Umezaki, 1986)

First, the USA and UK gave some economic aid to them. Second, anti-whaling organizations paid their annual fee for them (about 3 million yen per year). Third, their names could become known worldwide through their activity in the international organization.

Among these reasons, the last one, i.e., making their countries appealing to the world, was the most attractive reason for many countries. Seychelles and Panama achieved this goal. In the case of Seychelles, Watson transformed the Indian Ocean into a sanctuary, and in case the of Panama, Fortom-Gouin restricted the target of the Antarctic whaling to only the minke whales.

Needless to say, it was by paying money that anti-whaling organizations' members could become delegates of these nations. Whom should they buy? Caribbean ex-British territory countries such as St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Antigua & Barbuda had a common high commissioner in London. By buying the high commissioner, they could obtain their capacity as delegates, and they could attend the IWC meetings.

Also, even if they did not have knowledge of whaling or whales, they could serve as delegates at the plenary session of the IWC. This was because all they had to do was follow the directions of anti-whaling organizations.

Underlying this was the following situation. Starting from 1978, delegates of NGOs were permitted to attend the plenary session as observers. As a result, over thirty NGOs have been attending the IWC. Except for one organization, all other organizations are anti-whaling. The only exception is the ITF (International Transport Workers Federation). Since the All-Japan Seaman's Union belongs to ITF, it appealed to the ITF headquarters to support the whaling issue from the viewpoint of keeping employment for whaling workers. The headquarters agreed with them and has been submitting letters of opinion every year to the IWC requesting permission for the hunting of whales within the number in the annual increment. It also approved members of the All-Japan Seamen's Union attending the IWC meetings as observers from ITF.

The seats for NGOs are behind the seats for government delegations. From this position, leaders of anti-whaling organizations carefully watch the course of the meeting. In an important situation, they give memos to delegates of anti-whaling nations. When delegates of anti-whaling nations - who were recruited by anti-whaling groups - cannot make a decision, they glance at the seats for NGOs. As soon as the meeting breaks, they gather and start to consult. Besides this relationship between anti-whaling NGOs and anti-whaling nations' delegates, the connection is very smooth among anti-whaling delegations and among anti-whaling organizations. It was the result of the pressure by anti-whaling organizations that NGO delegates were permitted to attend the IWC plenary session, and it enabled them to dominate at the IWC.

They also have a weapon during the IWC meetings. It is a newspaper named "ECO". This paper, four pages of A4 size papers, is published every day during the IWC meeting by three major anti-whaling organizations - Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, and Project Jonah. The writers are delegates at the seats for NGOs. They record the details of the meeting, and write articles at an editorial office in a hotel room, print the newspaper, and the newspapers are on sale next morning.

Since it contains a detailed record of the proceedings of the plenary session and can be used as the minutes, it is very useful for some people. However for some people, the paper is a weapon directed at them. In ECO, people, organizations, and nations which have acted against the anti-whaling NGOs' policies are accused. On the other hand, anti-whaling actions gain the highest possible praise. Anyway, it is a highly biased paper which does not permit freedom of speech and belief.

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