Andrés Rozental
Andrés Rozental was a partner in the Save the Gray Whale Nursery campaign. He is a former deputy foreign minister of Mexico and served for many years in Mexico's diplomatic corps.
My experience working with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in spearheading the strategy in Mexico for a successful outcome in opposing the Laguna San Ignacio saltworks expansion was a true highlight in what beginning in 1997 became my new role as a retired public servant and an active proponent of environmental and other civil society causes. After an arduous and exhausting campaign to get President Zedillo to visit the Lagoon and see for himself the potential damage that could be caused to this pristine whale breeding reserve, and then having him publicly cancel the Exportadora de Sal expansion project during the last year of his Administration, was one of the most satisfying moments in my second career as an outside consultant for the fight to keep alive Mexico's reputation as a country committed to conserving the environment and opposed to the industrialization of areas which have been declared biosphere reserves or which threaten the long-standing status of my country as an active protector of endangered fauna and flora.
Victory celebration!
It isn't often that one can declare success in an endeavor such as this and I am proud to have been a small part of it. Together with my many years as Mexico's Commissioner on the IWC, where I fought against constant efforts by whaling nations to overturn the moratorium, increase aboriginal whaling, give special quotas to coastal communities under the guise of traditional whaling, and opposing whaling activities by Japan under the umbrella of so-called scientific research, it was a moment of triumph and deep personal and national satisfaction to see the Laguna San Ignacio saltworks project overturned.
Although I am unable to physically join the 10-year anniversary gathering in March at the Lagoon, I send all my colleagues very best regards and continuing gratitude for what was accomplished in 2000. This victory will remain one of the very few that can proudly be displayed as a triumph of reason over greed. Mexico should also be thankful for the support we received from IFAW and NRDC, together with many other national and international NGO's who joined the campaign and who have kept alive the coalition to save Laguna San Ignacio.
With fond regards,
Ambassador André Rozental
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