The European Parliament,

A. recalling its belief, affirmed in its resolution of 18 September 1987, that it is essential for the moratorium on commercial whaling to be strictly observed by all Members of the International Whaling Commission,

B. aware that the IWC must review the moratorium and consider modification of it this year,

C. deploring that whaling has continued under formal objections and scientific permits since the moratorium came into effect in 1986 and that, consequently, one of the purposes of the moratorium, which was to give all whale stocks an opportunity to recover from exploitation, has not been fulfilled,

D. deeply concerned that the remaining whaling countries are pressing for the moratorium to be relaxed this year,

1. calls upon the Governments of all IWC Member States to sustain the moratorium on commercial whaling;

2. calls upon the Governments of EC Members States to take all possible diplomatic, economic and other measures to this end;

3. calls upon the Governments of Iceland, Japan and Norway to comply with the moratorium and to cooperate fully with the IC in its efforts to develop a comprehensive and effective conservation regime;

4. calls upon the Governments of Norway and the USSR to withdraw their objections to the moratorium decision.