Libya backed up Japan
The Yomiuri reports on how Japan used “developing countries’ frustrations against decision-making led by the United States and European countries” to defeat the proposed ban on the trade of bluefin tuna:
The beginning of the end for the proposal led by Monaco and the European Union was triggered by an outburst from the Libyan delegate at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES.
At a committee meeting Thursday in the Qatari capital, the Libyan delegate shouted his objection to the U.S.-backed proposal, saying it was “part of a conspiracy of developed countries.” His comment was a direct appeal to anti-West sentiment among developing countries.
The Libyan representative then called for the discussion to be wound up and an immediate vote held. The proposal to ban bluefin trade was then rejected.
However, Japan can take some credit for nudging Libya along on this matter.
Masanori Miyahara, chief counselor of the Fisheries Agency, secretly visited Libya to solicit the North African country’s support in opposing the bluefin tuna export ban at the CITES conference.
Though Libya initially had little more than a passing interest in the issue, Japan managed to persuade it to support Japan’s stance.
Credit also goes to Canada, South Korea, and China. Iceland is also given a special mention because it was able to get the proposal put to a secret ballot.
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