Russia lays claim to vast areas of Arctic

[uhnope]

Source: Guardian UK

Russia has submitted a bid to the UN claiming vast territories in the Arctic, the country’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday. The ministry said in a statement that Russia is claiming 1.2m sq km (over 463,000 sq miles) of sea shelf extending more than 350 nautical miles (about 650km) from the shore.

Russia, the US, Canada, Denmark and Norway have all been trying to assert jurisdiction over parts of the Arctic, which is believed to hold up to a quarter of the planet’s undiscovered oil and gas. Rivalry for resources has intensified as shrinking polar ice is opening up new exploration opportunities. Russia was the first to submit a claim in 2002, but the UN sent it back for lack of evidence.

The ministry said the resubmitted bid contains new arguments. “Ample scientific data collected in years of Arctic research are used to back the Russian claim,” it said. Russia expects the UN commission on the limits of the continental shelf to start looking at its bid in the autumn, the ministry said.

Vladimir Chuprov, campaigner for Greenpeace Russia, said: “The melting of the Arctic ice is uncovering a new and vulnerable sea, but countries like Russia and Norway want to turn it into the next Saudi Arabia. Unless we act together, this region could be dotted with oil wells and fishing fleets within our lifetimes.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/04/russia-lays-claim-to-vast-areas-of-arctic-seabed

[HFRN]

1. would also make currently used US military routes unavailable as sovereign airspace nt

[LTG]

5. i believe territorial air space is treated the same as territorial waters.

They will be able to claim, control, and plunder natural resources within in their expanded claim, unless covered by International agreements. They will not have control of the airspace beyond the 12 mile territorial limit used for the high seas. They may assert air traffic control powers, but free passage will still exist, and frequently exercised by the U. S. Navy.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. And "President Trump" would snatch it out of Putin's hands.

[Plucketeer]

3. But Comrade!

Does not that new ocean expanse look just like Vodka? I rest my case.

[MBS]

4. Ideally, this should be an international area

-- with strict ecological rules, prohibition of military activities and commercial exploitation. . . just like the Antarctic.
Won't happen, unfortunately, but there's GOT to be careful regulation of this fragile area.
Hopefully, the UN will smart enough to veto Russia's request, just as they did in 2002.

Chuprov's quote (which you included above) is great, and I agree with him completely.

[davidpdx]

6. I totally agree with this

The only thing that should be up there is researchers. That is the only legitimate reason in my opinion.

[Baclava]

7. Of course it's about the oil