posted on August 2, 2007 09:17:42 AM new
And just WHAT does canada think it's going to do about it? lol Nothing, they CAN'T.
Oh, but they can 'talk' about it forever....
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Canada rejects Arctic flag-planting as a 'just a show by Russia'
Aug 2 11:59 AM US/Eastern
Canada's top diplomat ridiculed Russia's flag-planting at the North Pole on Thursday, saying the "15th century" stunt does not bolster its disputed claim to the resource-rich Arctic.
"Look, this isn't the 15th century. You can't go around the world and plant flags and say, 'We're claiming this territory'," Foreign Minister Peter MacKay told broadcaster CTV.
Earlier, according to reports, a Russian mini-submarine reached the bottom of the Arctic Ocean under the North Pole at a depth of 4,261 metres (13,980 feet), to carry out scientific tests and leave a Russian flag.
The dive is believed to be the first of its kind and is part of a voyage that started on July 24 and aims to advance Russian claims to a vast swathe of the Arctic sea bed thought to be rich in oil and gas.
"Our claims over our Arctic are very well-established," MacKay commented.
"There is no threat to Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic and as you know, we've made very strong commitments, the prime minister has been there recently, may be there again (soon), so we're not at all concerned about this.
"It's basically just a show by Russia."
A spokesman for Canada's foreign affairs department added: "Canada's sovereignty over the lands and waters of the Canadian Arctic is longstanding, well established and based on historic title."
There is growing international rivalry in the region as energy reserves grow scarce in other parts of the world and the melting of the polar ice caps makes the area more accessible for research and economic activity.
The Russian expedition hopes to establish that a section of sub-sea territory known as the Lomonosov Ridge, which includes the North Pole, is in fact an extension of Russia.
The expedition set off last week from the northern Russian port of Murmansk.
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And the news story, itself, that the top canadian diplomat is speaking about.
