Annex: Comments of WWF-Japan, Government of Japan and the USA.
          These comments were transcribed from a tape recording and have not been revised by the speakers.

WWF-Japan

  We submitted a motion for conservation of Dugong, Okinawa Woodpecker and Okinawa Rail in and around the Okinawa Island. Many Japanese people, including Okinawa, have much interest and expectations for this IUCN motion. 47,000 people put signatures in the petition which asks the IUCN to adopt this motion. Signature books are shown in the exhibition booth of Okinawa. They strongly want to conserve the endemic and endangered species for Okinawa and have much reliance and respect for the IUCN and its recommendation. So we would like to ask all of you to support our motion.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

  The Government of Japan has already set up a policy guidance that maximum efforts should be made in order not to give serious impacts on natural environment at the occasion of relocation of the Futenma Airport and return of major part of the Northern Training Facility. Along this policy guidance, the Government of Japan has just decided to proceed to an assessment of the status of Dugong before formation of basic design of replacement facilities of Futenma Airport. Works of this assessment will be concluded as soon as possible. For some reasons, we would like to abstain from joining the consensus. However, as I said earlier, we will make maximum efforts for ensuring the survival of Dugong, Okinawa Woodpecker and Okinawa Rail. I will register this statement to be recorded and to be reflected in the volume of resolutions of this World Congress.

US Department of State

  Considering the intent of the consolidated motion CNV 004 and 005 concerning conservation of Dugong, Okinawa Rail and Okinawa Woodpecker, the United States supports efforts to conserve these and other endangered and threatened species. And we respect and share the concern, responses these motions have shown, for the species' continued survival. We had some questions about what has been requested in earlier versions of this motion, but we feel the current version is much clearer. And in this context, I can say that we support a comprehensive and transparent Environmental Impact Assessment on the proposed Futenma relocation options and are prepared to cooperate on the Environmental Impact Assessment conducted by the Government of Japan, as requested by the Government of Japan. The United States has committed publicly to making all efforts to protect the environment in Japan, consistent with relevant laws and regulations. In the course of these efforts, we welcome dialog with concerned Non-governmental Organizations. We would like the statement to be added in the record.