[4animals] IFAW Wants to Debate NFLD Premier on Seal Hunt

[K]

Hey, remember on Larry King Live, Danny Williams made some ridiculous claim that some from IFAW supported the hunt?  Well, IFAW Prez has challenged him to a debate.  Most excellent!  Let's hope Williams says yes.   That way, IFAW can show that footage of the bloody white coat being dipped in the water which was televised on CTV this a.m. and then get Williams to explain how "no white coats are killed".

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/releases/show.jsp?action=showRelease&searchText=false&showText=all&actionFor=584740

MARCH 16, 2006 - 12:12 ET

IFAW President challenges Premier Williams to a televised debate

on Canadian seal hunt

Attention: Assignment Editor, Environment Editor, News Editor, Science
Editor, Government/Political Affairs Editor

YARMOUTH PORT, MA--(CCNMatthews - March 16, 2006) - Today, IFAW
President Fred O'Regan challenged Danny Williams, Premier of
Newfoundland and Labrador, to a televised debate on the Canadian seal
hunt. In an official letter O'Regan wrote, "Let us give the people of
Canada what they deserve: a full and factual public debate on the
commercial seal hunt which has done so much damage to Canada's image
at home and abroad." The full text of that letter is below.
Dear Premier Williams,
Thank you for your reply to my letter of March 7th, which sought to
correct various inaccurate comments you made regarding the
International Fund for Animal Welfare during your appearance on Larry
King Live on CNN March 3rd. I welcome your willingness to engage in
dialogue on the important issue of Canada's commercial seal
hunt and I share your concern about the many inaccuracies currently in
the public domain.

Additional distortions. Unfortunately, the many inaccurate statements
you repeat in your
letter only add to this problem. Two particular statements demand
retraction and you have addressed neither:

Your continuing insistence that veterinarians funded by the World
Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
(CVMA) have said the hunt is humane and well managed is simply untrue.
Neither has so stated. In fact, following your assertions on CNN, you
received a letter from the authors of the veterinary working group
report expressing their concern about such claims.

IFAW has today posted that letter, a link to the full veterinary
working group report, and complete, unedited copies of your and my
correspondence on our website at www.ifaw.org. I hope you will
demonstrate a similar commitment to transparency
and make the same documents available on the Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador website.

The second allegation that demands retraction is your attempt to link
IFAW to FBI terrorist investigations. The full written transcript and
video record of your CNN appearance are clear. This was said by you in
front of millions of people, and it should be retracted.

Canada deserves the truth. But rather than continuing this debate in
writing, let us give
the people of Canada what they deserve: a full and factual public
debate on the commercial seal hunt which has done so much damage to
Canada's image at home and abroad. You have represented yourself as
Prime Minster Harper's spokesperson on this issue. You have said you
believe Canada's seal hunt - the largest commercial slaughter
of marine mammals in the world - is well run, and not cruel. And you
have continued to make inaccurate statements about IFAW in the media,
refusing to offer an apology.

Ready to debate the facts? I hope you will live up to your strong
rhetoric and agree to
debate the merits of Canada's commercial seal hunt with me on national
television. As the seal hunt is ultimately a Federal issue, the debate
should take place in Ottawa. I would be pleased to meet you there for
a nationally broadcast debate at your earliest convenience.

I look forward to hearing from you and to debating these issues face to face.
Sincerely,
Fred O'Regan
President, International Fund for Animal Welfare

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)
Founded in 1969, IFAW works around the globe to protect animals and
their habitats and to create a better world for animals and people. To
learn how to help, please visit www.ifaw.org.



		
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