Int’l meeting in Morocco fails to lift ban on commercial whaling

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-06/26/c_13370996.htm

AGADIR, Morocco, June 26 (Xinhua) — The 62nd annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) ended in failure after delegations have not reached a common ground on a compromise proposal to lift the ban on commercial whaling…

At least 600 delegates from 80 countries have involved in a showdown between pro- and anti-whaling nations. The IWC compromise proposal was to allow Japan, Norway and Iceland to continue commercial whaling for another decade, despite a global ban.

Yet, negotiations fell apart on the compromise proposal despite an unprecedented decision by the IWC to hold the discussions behind closed doors, shutting out civil society and media personnel.