New Zealand PM faults Japan over Whaling Commission vote
{{date|June 20, 2006}}

[[Image:IWCLogo.png|frame|right|The International Whaling Commission]]

[[New Zealand]] Prime Minister [[Helen Clark]] has accused [[Japan]] of creating a rift between Pacific Countries. She accuses Japan of influencing the voting of some member nations of the {{w|Pacific Island Forum}} at the [[International Whaling Commission]] by supplying vast amounts of aid to certain small pacific nations.  

New Zealand provides a total of $23 million a year in aid to three of the six Pacific nations – [[Kiribati]], the [[Solomon Islands|Solomons]], and [[Tuvalu]]. Japan pledged approximately 45 billion {{w|Japanese yen|yen}} ({{w|New Zealand dollar|NZ $}}633 million) in aid for all Pacific nations. New Zealand's annual budget for aiding pacific nations on the other hand totals merely NZ $173 million.

Miss Clark is quoted as saying "One would hope that over time Japan might reflect on the damage this is doing to [its] relationships around the world" and that it "sprayed a lot of money around" to garner support.

The Prime Minister has ruled out any retaliation against the islands, saying it would not affect any future aid funding.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Related news ==
*{{wikinews|title=IWC passes pro-whaling resolution after close vote|date=June 19, 2006}}
*{{wikinews|title=Japan to hunt 950 whales for "scientific research"|date=November 21, 2005}}

==Sources==

*{{source|url=http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3705743a10,00.html
|title=Japanese splitting Pacific, says PM
|author=Haydon Dewes and Michael Field|pub=The Dominion Post|date=June 20, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1667140.htm
|title=NZ angry over Pacific islands' pro-whaling votes
|author=Peter Lewis
|pub=ABC News Online Australia
|date=June 20, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=107555
|title=NZ opposition probes whaling link to aid
|author=|pub=National Nine News|date=June 20, 2006}}
== External links ==
*{{source|url=http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3705494a10,00.html
|author={{w|New Zealand Press Association|NZPA}}|title=Pacific nations break anti-whaling promise| 
pub=NZPA|date=June 19, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3706351a10,00.html
|author=Reuters|title=Green groups call for renewed whaling battle
|pub=Reuters|date=June 19, 2006}}

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[[Category:Oceania]]
[[Category:New Zealand]]
[[Category:Helen Clark]]
[[Category:Tuvalu]]
[[Category:Kiribati]]
[[Category:Solomon Islands]]
[[Category:International Whaling Commission]]
[[Category:Whales]]
[[Category:Whaling]]
[[Category:Polynesia]]
[[Category:Micronesia]]
[[Category:Melanesia]]
[[Category:Japan]]
The International Whaling Commission

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has accused Japan of creating a rift between Pacific Countries. She accuses Japan of influencing the voting of some member nations of the  at the International Whaling Commission by supplying vast amounts of aid to certain small pacific nations.  

New Zealand provides a total of $23 million a year in aid to three of the six Pacific nations – Kiribati, the Solomons, and Tuvalu. Japan pledged approximately 45 billion yen (NZ $633 million) in aid for all Pacific nations. New Zealand's annual budget for aiding pacific nations on the other hand totals merely NZ $173 million.

Miss Clark is quoted as saying "One would hope that over time Japan might reflect on the damage this is doing to its relationships around the world" and that it "sprayed a lot of money around" to garner support.

The Prime Minister has ruled out any retaliation against the islands, saying it would not affect any future aid funding.
Oceania New Zealand Helen Clark Tuvalu Kiribati Solomon Islands International Whaling Commission Whales Whaling Polynesia Micronesia Melanesia Japan