By Eileen Herbert

Conservationists around the world are expecting a landmark victory this week as the 46th annual International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting convenes in Mexico from May 23 to decide on a proposed Antarctic whale sanctuary.

According to Greenpeace, the motion for a Southern Ocean sanctuary will almost certainly be passed after Chile and Denmark announced that they would vote in favour of the Australian-backed proposal.

Greenpeace Australia whale campaigner Robbie Kelman said there are now 23 confirmed backers for a sanctuary to be created in waters south of 40 degrees south, the latitude of the Bass Strait.

``Our assessment of the votes by countries represented at the IWC is 23 for the sanctuary and six against'', Kelman said. ``Under the IWC's three-quarter majority voting rule for a motion to pass, and barring any major unforeseen changes, victory is at hand for the sanctuary.''

Greenpeace congratulated the strong stance taken by both Chile and Denmark.

Those expected to oppose the sanctuary are Japan, Norway and four Caribbean countries -- St Lucia, St Vincent, Grenada and Dominica.

Greenpeace has sent a 100,000 signature petition to Dominica in a final attempt to sway its voting decision.

Japan has provided multi-million dollar financial aid to the Caribbean states and Solomon Islands in exchange for their support in the IWC.

As a result of strong pressure from Greenpeace and other non-government organisations (NGOs), the Solomon Islands decided not to attend the meeting. South Korea, formerly pro-whaling, is also under pressure not to veto the sanctuary.

NGOs have lobbied intensely for an Antarctic sanctuary since the IWC meeting last May, when Japan succeeded in blocking the French sanctuary proposal.

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