By KEITH PERRY
Prime Minister Helen Clark has backed a Greenpeace petition for a global whale sanctuary, accusing Japan of "deplorable" behaviour in its approach to whaling.
Helen Clark, who attended the petition launch in Auckland yesterday, vowed that the Government would continue New Zealand's opposition to whaling and work strongly to promote whale sanctuaries.
She also criticised Japan for "chequebook diplomacy" - using aid as a way of boosting the number of countries supporting Japan in the International Whaling Commission.
Last year, the Solomon Islands bowed to Japanese pressure after being threatened with the withdrawal of aid.
"Concern is being expressed as to whether this kind of move might extend to Tonga," said Helen Clark.
Last night, Japan's charge d'affairs in Wellington, Shigeo Matsutomi, rejected the accusation.
He said aid was given to Pacific Island countries "on humanitarian grounds" and had nothing to do with whaling.
"We don't use overseas development aid to implement policy measures.
"It is out of the question.
"I can't imagine why Helen Clark has linked the two."
The suggestion of aid in return for backing Japanese whaling was made by the Japanese Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Hiroaki Kameya, in June, after the May meeting of the whaling commission.
Helen Clark described the aid threat as an "extraordinary development."
"This sort of approach is deplorable. New Zealand would be most concerned if its effects were felt in the South Pacific.
"Protection for whales is at the forefront of public attention again because of Japan's refusal to acknowledge global opposition to its whaling programme in the Southern Ocean."
Helen Clark's support for the petition follows controversy last week over Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean Whaling Sanctuary near Antarctica.
She emphasised New Zealand's opposition to the whaling then, and ordered Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff to protest to Japan over its treatment of Greenpeace protesters, who were trying to stop minke whales being harpooned.
PM backs global sanctuary
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