Japanese whalers clash with activists

CANBERRA, Australia: Japanese whalers and militant conservationists have clashed in the Antarctic Ocean over two days, with weapons including water cannon, blinding lasers and bottles of rancid acid, both sides said yesterday.

Each accused the other of coming dangerously close during the clashes. Neither reported any injuries or ship damage.

The New Zealand-registered Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship Ady Gil came within 20 meters of colliding with the bow of Japanese harpoon ship Sonan Maru No 2 yesterday, the Japanese government-sponsored Institute of Cetacean Research said.