'Ugly war' will cost lives, anti-whaling protester warns

New Zealand anti-whaling activist Pete Bethune expressed fears Monday someone would die in the "ugly war" between conservationists and Japanese whalers in Antarctic waters.

At his first formal press conference since being deported from Japan, Bethune said, "New Zealand has become like a fat little lap dog. We should be standing up for ourselves," leading Prime Minister John Key to label the activist "downright ungrateful," Television New Zealand reported.

Bethune, who was deported from Japan Friday after receiving a suspended two-year sentence for obstructing Japanese whalers, said he was not contemplating further protests in the near future.

The 45-year-old was arrested when he boarded a Japanese whaler in the Antarctic Ocean in February during a campaign by the US-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to stop the annual Japanese whale hunt.

He pleaded guilty to obstructing commercial activities, trespass, vandalism and carrying a knife, with which he cut the ship's security netting.

Although the sentencing judge took into account Bethune's word that he would not join any more Antarctic missions, the activist would not state unequivocally that his days of protesting in the southern seas were over.

"I've sacrificed a lot and whether I'll be back in Antarctica this year I don't know," he said. "I don't discount that someone is going to die down there sooner or later, there's no shortage of people willing to go down and risk their lives, but if someone were to die, it would be someone from Sea Shepherd."

Bethune said the battle between conservationists and whalers had descended into an "ugly war" and he came "so close to being killed" when his powerboat Ady Gil sank after colliding with a Japanese whaler.

He also expressed anger at what he described as a lack of support from the New Zealand government over his arrest and five months' incarceration until being deported.

However, the Stuff website reported Prime Minister John Key accusing Bethune of being "downright ungrateful" for the help he received.

Speaking in Hanoi, Key said New Zealand foreign ministry staff in Japan had done everything possible to assist Bethune.

Agencies