WASHINGTON (AFP) – Key players on whaling huddled behind closed doors in Florida in an uncertain bid to find common ground on an issue that has bitterly divided Australia and Japan.

Negotiators opened talks at a resort hotel in St. Pete Beach, near St. Petersburg, participants said. Media were not allowed into the talks in the hopes of encouraging a more open dialogue.

The delegates will review through Thursday a proposal by Cristian Maquieira, chairman of the 88-nation International Whaling Commission (IWC), that aims to work toward a grand compromise bringing aboard all sides on the debate.

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