To a unanimous ovation of the Chilean Congress, President Michelle Bachelet today announced that she will send legislation to parliament banning all whaling activities in Chilean waters and creating a whale sanctuary.

During her annual state of the country address, President Bachelet said Chile will have this law in place before the International Whaling Commission, IWC, meeting to be held in Santiago in June.

President Bachelet also declared Chile's opposition to research whaling as conducted by Japan. "Chile will oppose any capture and death of whales with scientific purposes during the next meeting of the International Whaling Commission," she said.

Conservationists see the announcement as a public triumph on an issue that has strong support amongst the Chilean people.

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