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| Dr. Harris Denies Selling SKN’s IWC Vote |
| By Sheena Brooks |
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Dr. Timothy Harris |
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A “vile orchestration of lies, innuendos and insinuations” is how Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris describes allegations of his involvement in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) vote selling scandal.
In an expose published by the British Sunday Times newspaper on June 13, Japan is being accused of using “flights, cash, and girls” to buy countries’ pro-whaling vote during next week’s IWC meetings. The Times alleged that Japan pays the countries’ IWC annual membership fees, travel, hotels and meals, and as much as US$300 per diem for each delegate. Japan is also accused of providing million-dollar aid packages for these countries in exchange for their vote opposing a de facto moratorium on commercial whale hunting.
The article alleges that undercover reporters caught several government officials on hidden video camera admitting to accepting bribes from Japan in return for voting in support of the Asian country’s pro-whaling position at the IWC meetings.
According to the damning article, “The Sunday Times approached the key ministers and fisheries officials from those countries in an undercover investigation. … Government officials were told we were putting together a coalition of countries who would vote against whaling. They were each offered £25m in aid over 10 years. Six countries indicated they were willing to consider our offer. They were St. Kitts and Nevis, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Grenada, Ivory Coast and Guinea.”
It further alleged that St. Kitts-Nevis Minister of Marine Resources and its IWC representative Dr. Harris “was only too keen to discuss the undercover reporters’ proposal.” According to the article, Dr. Harris promised to raise the reporters’ offer to buy St. Kitts’ vote with the Cabinet but added there might be concern that Japan could pull the plug on its aid if St. Kitts “switched sides”.
The article claims Dr. Harris invited the undercover reporters to a lunch meeting where he admitted that St. Kitts’ interest in the whaling issue was “minimal” but it participated in the IWC because it could have “direct benefits” from Japan. He allegedly agreed to fly to London this week to discuss the ‘offer’ further.
Dr. Harris has admitted to meeting and discussing the whaling issue with the individuals posing as lobbyists but denied any wrong doing on a personal or official level.
“I have acted in this matter with consummate integrity and professionalism. Two officials purporting to represent anti-whaling interests held discussions regarding the St. Kitts and Nevis’ vote at the upcoming IWC. I indicated to the individuals that our position was neither for nor against Japan. There is nothing in the article regarding my conduct and behavior which reflects anything improper on my part or that of any senior official in my Ministry. There is nothing amiss about St. Kitts and Nevis’ conduct and voting at IWC,” he said.
Dr. Harris, who was appointed Minister of Marine Resources in February this year, contends that the discussions centered on the Federation’s whaling position, and at no time was there any negotiation for personal gain.
“I indicated that a decision in relation to a change in government’s position was a matter for the Cabinet of St Kitts and Nevis. There was never any discussion regarding any gain for myself or any other person. It was always a discussion of the interests of our country (St. Kitts and Nevis), our Federation’s policies, its needs and its approach to IWC.”
He also affirmed that St Kitts and Nevis’ IWC vote is not for sale.
“Contrary to the reports in The Sunday Times, our vote is not for sale, never was and never will be, neither to Japan nor to any other entity within or outside of the IWC.”
Dr. Harris told The Observer that he had sought legal advice on the issue with a view to confront and expose the “perpetrators of disparagement and character assassination”.
The Minister, along with representatives from the other 87 member countries, is expected to attend the 62nd Annual IWC Meetings scheduled for Agadir, Morocco, June 21-25. High on the IWC’s agenda will be a controversial proposal to legitimize but reduce whaling. |
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