Australia looks to end whaling standoff involving British activist (Roundup)

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Jan 17, 2008, 11:37 GMT

In this photo released by Japan\'s Institute of Cetacean Research, Australian Benjamin Potts, left, and Briton Giles Lane, activists from environmental group Sea Shepherd are seen detained on board the Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No. 2, in the Southern Ocean of the Anarctic, 15 January, 2008. The two activists boarded one of Japan\'s harpoon ships during a chase with Sea Shepherd boats. Britain called Wednesday for a swift and safe resolution to the situation involving the two anti-whaling activists still detained on board the Japanese ship. EPA/THE INSTITUTE OF CETACEAN RESEARCH

(M&C) - The Australian government has moved to end the high sea whaling controversy involving British protester Briton Giles Lane and an Australian colleague by sending a vessel to retrieve the held activists.

Mr Lane, 36, from Cuckfield in West Sussex and his Australian colleague Benjamin Potts were detained on Tuesday when they attempted to board the Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No. 2. The pair aimed to deliver a letter to inform the Japanese whalers they were harpooning whales illegally.

The Australian government has declared the area a whale sanctuary.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has said his government would send the Australian customs ship Oceanic Viking to pick up the men after negotiations to end the standoff broke down.

Mr Smith called on both sides to exercise restraint to allow the successful transfer of the two men.

"The transfer of men from one ship to another, and then to a third ship in any circumstances is a potentially difficult operation," he said. "This will be an difficult operation, occurring as it does in the Southern Ocean."

Both men are members of the activist group Sea Shepherd which seeks to draw attention to illegal Japanese whaling activities in the southern oceans.

Japanese whaling officials have offered to hand back the two men on the condition that Sea Shepherd undertakes no more attacks on Japanese vessels.

However Paul Watson, captain of the anti-whaling protest ship Steve Irwin rejected the conditions.

"We will try and do everything we can to stop them killing whales. That's what we are doing down here," he told local media.

The British government has called for a swift end to the emergency.