4 - Wednesday, August 1 17, 1994 - North Shore News Bob Hunter STRICTLY PERSONAL PVE JUST received a fax from the Royal Norwegian . Embassy, Ottawa, signed by Carl P. Salicath, Charge e’ Affaires, who takes excep- tion te my July 20 column about this summer’s anti- whaling wars. He writes, presumably on behalf of the Norwegian government: “I must protest when you write about ‘viciousness and stupidity of the Norwegian Navy’s response to pro- testers anywhere near its shore.’ You may not be aware that the Norwegian Navy has not been involved, in any incident of the kind you describe, and that action has been saken only when the law has been broken.” He refers to my description of Paul Watson's latest action: “The activities you refer to took place inside the Norwegian territorial bor- der at sea. He was warned by the . Norwegian Coast Guard before crossing the territorial border, but claimed that he couid nat know that he entered Norwegian territory, ‘as he could not see land,’ “A permission is required to cross the border with a ship. “The Norwegian Coast Guard cutter K/V Andenes (which is not a naval vessel, nor a warship) request- ed Mr. Watson.to leave Noi wegian territorial -vaters, He did, however, not comply. Hawsers were put to sea in order to halt Mr. Watson's ship. At this stage, a collision between Mr. Watson's ship and K/V Andenés occurred, as a conse- quence of Mr. Watson’s negligence of maritime rules and his obligation to give way. “Watson claims that Andenes rammed his ship. The video record- ing does, however, clearly show that Whales Forever tured sharply star- bourd with the consequences that it rammed Andenes at the portside with its bow. Whales Forever was damaged in the bow. The Coast Guard then asked for police assis- tance in order to board Mr. Watson's ship. (The Canadian Coast Guard and the RCMP foilowed the same procedure when arresting Mr. Watson on the Grand Banks last summer. € thus find it peculiar that you describe this as an unusual step.) Before the police arrived, Whales Forever had set course out of Norwegian territory. The Coast Guard followed Whales Forever, intending to board the ship and arrest the crew. Two warning shots were fired with dummies. “When the Coast Guard finally threatened to fire a shot in the ship's bow, Mr. Watson assembled his crew on the bow. (Mr. Watson is not telling the truth at this point, as on several other points.) The gun on the K/V Andenes was never loaded with anything but dummies. “It is not true that the Coast Guard used depth charges against Mr. Watson's ship, What was used were two explosives of the kind used in conventional submarine exercises, in order to mark attacks. They do not pose any danger to the hull of any ship. They did not explode as they hit the ship, but beneath the keel. The Coast Guard knew that Mr. Watson’s ship was a seismic ship with a strong hull, “As a boarding would have jeop- ardized the security of personnel, K/V Andenes did nothing more, but followed Whales Forever out of Norwegian waters, where it was allowed to sail on. “It is not true that the Norwegian Coast Guard captain was relieved of his command after the incident, and it is not true that he was ordered to stop Mr. Watson’s ship at all costs. It is Norwegian policy to avoid jeopardizing the safety of people, even when they take part in illegal actions. “Watson sent out numerous Mayday signals claiming that his ship had been shot at with guns and hand weapons. This prompted a number of questions from the rescue services of other countries to the Rescue Command for Southern Norway. Some time later, Mr. Watson confirmed to the Rescue Command that one person had been injured by falling when the Whales Forever hit Andenes. Watson turned down all offers of assistance from the Norwegian Rescue Service.” The Charge d’ Affaires continues, with regard to Greenpeace’s protests against Norwegian whaling, which happened at roughly the same time: “What you write is more in accordance with the truth, but not completely. The Greenpeace activists were arrested for boarding a whaling vessel and for interrupting the legal economic activity of the crew. It is a paradox that Greenpeace, which is very con- cemed about the whales suifering unnecessary seconds when they are harpooned, interrupted the shot that would have guaranteed (that) it died. Instead, the while drifted away, may oe suffering a long time before it died,” Well, thank you for comnunicat- ing with me, Mr. Salicath. This is probably as close as I'm going to gei to a debate with the Norwegian gov- ermment. Certainly, when [ tried car- lier to get some comment from Prime Minister Gro Bundtiand, ! was advised by her office that she was much too busy with important affairs of state to talk to a mere Canadian reporter. (It wasn’t phrased that way, of course.) [had hoped to get her to maybe autograph a copy of Our Common Future, the famous report of the World Commission on Environment Bay City insurance Service Ltd. ‘Visa and Mastercard accepted at no cost to you!” Village Square 1445 Marine Drive West Van. 925-3533 Lynn Vatley Centre #10-1199 Lynn Valley Rd. North Van. 986-1755 ale of a tale and Development, which she chaired, which warned that because of “overexploitation «substantial whale populations will probably not be observed much before the second half of the century,” and which warmed that “whaling for scientific purposes can be used as a loophole by whaling nations.” This would jead to the International Whaling Commission's credibility being “undermined.” Since then, Ms, Brundtland has taken her country out of the IWC entirely, in defiance of a werld - “moratorium on whaling. Under her leadership, Norway didn’t even bother with the legalistic nicety of using the “scientific research” loop- hole. It simply turned itself into a pirate whaling nation, defying inter- national law. So. sir. your claims that your whalers were involved ina “egal economic activity” is pure disinformation. As for the rest of your fax, PIE let Watson and Greenpeace reply ina subsequent column, but let me say that I have a copy of one of the videotapes taken on the Whales Forever, and have viewed it several times, and there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever -—— repeat, whatso- ever — that the K/V Andenes did indeed ram Watson's ship, and ram it hard! {haven't heard a barefaced lie like this from a government since France said Greenpeace skipper David McTaggart “slipped on a cleat on the dock,” to explain the fact that he almost lost an eye during a beating by French commandos using truncheons. We later proved the French claim to be completely false, thanks to photos that were taken and smuggled to me from Tahiti. It will be ny pleasure to send you a copy of the videotape taken on board Whales Forever. If you are interested, please let me know. And. by the way, I would Jove to see any - tapes of yours. OTICE is hereby given by the City of North Vancouver, pursuant to Section 957 of the Municipal Act of British Columbia, that a Public Hearing will be held on MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1994 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 141 West 14th Street, North Vancouver, B.C., to receive representations in connection with the following proposed amendment to “Zoning Bylaw, 1967”, and the “Zoning Map of the City of North Vancouver”, which is an integral part of “Zoning Bylaw, 1967”, also known as Bylaw No. 3778: To rezone Lot 16, Block 122, D.L. 271, Plan 2781, located at 431-433 West 6th Street (as indicated in hatched pattern on the map below). The amending bylaw will have the effect of removing the said property, FROM: RT-1 (Two-Family Residential Zone) TO: CbD-273 (Comprehensive Development 273 Zone) to permit development of a duplex on a site less than 5900 square feet. The amending bylaw will also regulate the size, shape and siting of buildings and structures, off-street and accessory off-street parking requirements, location and screening of refuse containers and landscaping and Anaintenance. CLL LLL APPLICANT: SA UNDERS/EGIL LYNGEN ARCHITECTS LL PERSONS who believe that their interest in property is affected by proposed Bylaw No. 6584 shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard in person, by attorney or by petition. The proposed Bylaw may be inspected at the office of the City Clerk between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except Statutory Holidays, from August 8 - August 22, 1994. Written submissions will be accepted up to and including AUGUST 22, 1994, but submissions will NOT be accepted after the conclusion of the Public Hearing. TST he City of North Vancouver is accepting applications for grants under the Youth initiatives Fund. The next deadline is September 16, 1994. The first round of grants proved to be highly successful with 11 projects receiving a total of $21,000 in funding. Hundreds of children and youth aged 6 to 21 years will benefit from the projects funded under the Youth Initiatives Fund. The Youth Initiatives Fund provides grants for community-based activities for youth in the City of North Vancouver which encourage skills development, help build self-esteem and self-confidence, and rovide social opportunities. Pp There are three categories of grants: Community Projects & Events Educational Programs Services for Youth Maximum of Maximum of Maximum of $500 $2,500 $10,000 For more information en the Youth Initiatives Fund and application forms, drop by Development Services counter or Reception at City fall, (41 West Ith Street, or call Larry Orr, Social Planner at 985-7761, Local 207. Another program in the City of North Vancouve ‘ s ongoing commionent to our youth,