AM interview

Subject: Sea Shepherd incident

TONY EASTLEY: The incident has put the spotlight on the resolve of the new Labor Government, especially after its campaign promises, that it would take a tougher stance against Japanese whaling.

Australian Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, is in Perth. Good morning, Stephen Smith.

STEPHEN SMITH: Good morning, Tony.

TONY EASTLEY: What's your understanding about the circumstances of these two men, one of them an Australian, who's on the Japanese whaler?

STEPHEN SMITH: Well, I can tell you what the Australian Government has done. I'm in Perth, and I became aware of the boarding late yesterday evening, immediately we became aware of it the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our embassy in Tokyo, approached the Japanese Government, to seek to secure the immediate and safe release of the two men concerned, Benjamin Potts and Giles Lane.

Late last night I was advised that the Japanese [Government] had agreed to this, and they had instructed the relevant whaling ship to return the men to the Steve Irwin. I was, of course, very pleased to get that advice, because I think 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 the Sea Shepherd, and the Japanese whaling vessel, to effect immediately the safe and secure return of the two men concerned to the Steve Irwin.

TONY EASTLEY: Do you consider that they were being held hostage?

STEPHEN SMITH: Well, I'm not going to make an on-the-run judgement about the circumstances of what's occurred. The Australian Federal Police have indicated that it is evaluating any suggestions of illegal or unlawful activity which might have occurred on the high seas.

Can I simply say this - from the very first day, I urged all parties in this matter to exercise restraint. It's quite clearly the case that restraint hasn't occurred here. If there is any illegal or unlawful activity in respect of this matter, then not only do I not condone that, I condemn it.

But I think the priority here for the Australian Government, and for Australians, is the immediate, safe and secure return of these two men to the Steve Irwin, to release them and return them from where they came. The Japanese Government have agreed to that, but I now want to make sure that that is effected, and effected urgently.

TONY EASTLEY: Are you suggesting there was some illegality involved?

STEPHEN SMITH: Well I don't know, I'm in Perth, I wasn't there, I simply ...

TONY EASTLEY: Will the Federal Police look into that?

STEPHEN SMITH: The Federal Police are happy to evaluate any suggestions that are made that there may have been illegal or unlawful activity on the high seas. Can I say, for the present, whatever the state of the law might be, the priority here - and this could only be done in my view through effective diplomatic means - is to secure their safe and immediate return. The Japanese Government have agreed to that, late last night they instructed the relevant whaling vessel to do that, that has not yet been effected, and I call upon both the Steve Irwin and the Sea Shepherd ...

TONY EASTLEY: Are you surprised by that?

STEPHEN SMITH: Well, I can understand there might be a bit of creative tension or nervousness between the two vessels in the Great Southern Ocean, I simply call on both of them to cooperate so as to ensure the safe, immediate and secure return of these two gentlemen, one of whom is an Australian national.

Ends

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