Japan Whalers do Research On Boarders

[Papewaio]

Japan to release hostages - Smith

JAPAN has agreed to release two anti-whaling activists held on board a whaling ship in Antarctic waters, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says.

Mr Smith said Japan had agreed to release Benjamin Potts, 28, of Sydney, and Giles Lane, 35, from Britain, after the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and embassy officials in Tokyo spoke to the Japanese Government.

"Late last night I was advised the Japanese had agreed to this and they had instructed the relevant whaling ship to return the men to the Steve Irwin," Mer Smith said on ABC radio.

"The most important thing here is the safety and welfare of the two men concerned and we do as the Australian Government want their immediate release.

"My most recent advice, which is in the last hour, is that that transfer has not yet occurred and I'm calling upon both parties, both the Steve Irwin and Sea Shepherd and the Japanese whaling vessel, to effect immediately their safe return of the two men concerned."

I wonder if the Japanese ships name translates to Stingray?

[Beefy187]

The ship those two got in to is called "Brave and New II" or something like that. And I cant blame the Japanese because those two got in the ship with out permission.

[Mikeus Caesar]

I always look forward to the yearly whale hunt honourable scientific research expedition - hilarity always ensues.

[Reverend Joe]

Earlier, Sea Shepherd said it would launch its own "aggressive" rescue of the two activists if it had to.

Mr Watson said his crew would consider a mission if the men were not returned.

"It is always a possibility. I mean, we do have a reputation for being aggressive. We are non-violent, we have never injured anybody, but we are certainly not afraid of taking aggressive measures," Mr Watson said.

A Hippie SEAL team? Okay, buddy... if you say so.

On the other hand, those whalers are acting a little bit nutty. Okay, I could understand them getting pissed off and messing with the protesters, but holding them hostage and issuing demands seems a little... militaristic.

[Beefy187]

Well they did break the law. I mean they wouldve blown up the ship if they had to Whats the diffrence between them and the terrorists?

[Papewaio]

I have a cunning plan instead of rolling up the letter and dipping it into citric acid and poking out their eyes, lets use butyric acid instead.

How were they going to blow up the ship?