[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 37 (Monday, September 18, 2000)]
[Page 2075]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Memorandum on Japanese Research Whaling

September 13, 2000

Memorandum for the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, 
the Secretary of Interior, the Secretary of Commerce, the United States 
Trade Representative

Subject: Japanese Research Whaling

    On September 13, 2000, I received Secretary Mineta's certification 
of Japan under the Pelly Amendment, 22 U.S.C. 1978, for having 
authorized its nationals to engage in whaling operations that diminish 
the effectiveness of the International Whaling Commission. The Secretary 
has also certified Japan under the Packwood-Magnuson Amendment, 16 
U.S.C. 1821(e)(2).
    I direct the Secretary of State to inform Japan that the United 
States will not, under present circumstances, negotiate a new Governing 
International Fisheries Agreement (GIFA) with Japan, which has been 
certified under the Packwood-Magnuson Amendment. A GIFA is a 
prerequisite to foreign fishing inside the U.S. exclusive economic zone 
(EEZ) (16 U.S.C. 1821(c)). Without a GIFA, Japan will not be eligible 
for the allocation of any amounts of Atlantic herring, Atlantic 
mackerel, or any other species that may become available for harvest by 
foreign vessels in the U.S. EEZ, during the period in which the 
certification is in effect.
    I also direct the Secretaries of State, the Treasury, Commerce, and 
the Interior, and the United States Trade Representative, (1) to 
identify options for ensuring that existing prohibitions against the 
importation of whale products under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq., and the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq., are fully enforced; (2) to investigate the disposition of products 
from the Japanese research program, to ensure that no whale derivatives 
enter into international commerce in contravention on obligations under 
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 
Fauna and Flora; (3) to summarize the size and nature of economic 
activity in Japan related to whaling; and, (4) to continue to consider 
additional options, including trade measures, as warranted by 
developments in Japan.
    I further direct the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with all 
relevant agencies, to keep me apprised of developments as needed, and to 
report back to me on these issues prior to the end of the 60-day period 
triggered by his certification.
                                            William J. Clinton

Note: This memorandum was released by the Office of the Press Secretary 
on September 14.