IN LONDON TODAY, (MONDAY), FIVE NATIONS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OBSERVER SYSTEM FOR WHALING EXPEDITIONS. THE SIGNATORIES WERE: BRITAIN, RUSSIA, THE NETHERLANDS, NORWAY AND JAPAN.

THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR OBSERVERS OF DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES ON ALL WHALING SHIPS. SAILING IN THE SOUTHERN OCEANS UNDER THE FLAGS OF THE FIVE SIGNATORIES, DURING THE SEASONS 1963/64, 1964/65, 1965/66. EACH GOVERNMENT IS GIVEN THE RIGHT TO SEND ONE OBSERVER OF ITS OWN NATIONALITY WITH EVERY FOREIGN EXPEDITION. OBSERVERS WILL MAKE REPORTS TO THE COMMISSION'S SECRETARIAT.

THE AGREEMENT AIMS AT ENSURING THAT WHALING QUOTAS, ESTABLISHED TO CONSERVE STOCKS FOR THE FUTURE, ARE NOT EXCEEDED. THE DRAFT AGREEMENT WAS INITIALLED BY THE FIVE COUNTRIES LAST JULY.