After repeated requests for information from various state agencies, we were able to obtain the following information. The meeting was arranged because of pressure from Makah officials, who were angered at the prospect of possible state intervention into the whale hunt, which they improperly claim has been approved by the International Whaling Commission. Governor Locke denied meeting with Captain Watson while in Port Angeles, even as his office provided the WCCA with a newspaper photo of Locke shaking hands with Watson in Port Angeles.
Further documents show a worried staff trying their best to quietly defuse the situation.
When his cause is given that much attention, it validates his position by the Governor of the State. On a scale of 1 to 10, they feel this is a 8.5 the Makah Chairman has now called 3 times to see if a meeting with the Governor is possible. Speed is way more important than depth in my opinion. Thanks for helping. I think if the DFW can quickly determine that the resident whale theory is bunk, that the whales are federally controlled, and the state has nothing to do with it, as has been the understanding all along, we may be able to deflect this.