Source:
NY TimesLast August, a team of Russian scientists and legislators trekked to the North Pole and plunged through the ice pack into the abyss, descending more than two miles through inky darkness to the bottom of the ocean.
There, explorers planted Russia’s flag and, upon surfacing, declared that the feat had strengthened Moscow’s claims to nearly half the Arctic seabed. The ensuing global headlines fueled debate over polar territorial claims.
But that wasn’t the whole story. The heroes of the moment did not mention that the dive had American origins.
Alfred S. McLaren, 75, a retired Navy submariner, would like to set the record straight and, as he puts it, “acquaint the Kremlin with the realities” of recent history and international law.
NY TimesRead more:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/world/europe/19arctic.html?_r=1&ref=washington&oref=slogin
Did you notice that the challenge did not orginate from Washington? So, we are winning the race to space, but not here on earth to the Arctic?