Canada's claim to Arctic riches includes the North Pole (generations, Obama, fence)

[BruSan]

Originally Posted by lucknow

Not legally Mircea!!! The law is not static and has changed regarding this issue. That is precisely why the undersea mapping is so important. International law now recognizes the extension of undersea continental shelves as sovereign territory and has done so for some time. Just take a gander at the territory the USA is claiming off Alaska or maybe Mircea you think you should just give it to the Russians.

Naaah; Mircea's just another disgruntled Amurikan whining over a failed history.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by d4g4m

Should become interesting when Putin says 'You don't own it, I own it.

Territorial claims in the Arctic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There may be some squabbling but I think there is so much to go around that it won't get too heated.

[Hyperthetic]

Canada has always wanted to BE somebody.

[fibonacci]

Good let Canada our ally police the N pole. In case you didn't realize, China now has subs capable of nuking the US. We aren't talking about just the west coast either. East coast cities from Boston down to DC can be nuked from subs positioned in the north pole.
Inside China: Nuclear submarines capable of widespread attack on U.S. - Washington Times


The N pole is a key strategic location.

[BruSan]

Originally Posted by Hyperthetic

Canada has always wanted to BE somebody.

On any worthwhile scale of measure; Canada has always been somebody.

[Ferd]

This is all about Russia getting pushy. Canada has to stand up for itself.

As an American, I support our neighbors to the north in thier efforts to stand up against the Evil Empire.

[weltschmerz]

Originally Posted by Hyperthetic

Canada has always wanted to BE somebody.

In terms of being a happy, healthy, highly-educated country which runs smoothly, we're already somebody, but thanks for your input.

[Neuling]

I think continental shelves should not count. A country should only be the land area above sea level. After all, countries that are confined by an ocean already are more fortunate than land-locked ones, whose borders really end right there at the border, whereas the former have an additional territory off shore.

Since there is no land at the Arctic and ice is only water, the Arctic should be international waters outside the national waters around the land masses of those countries up there.

And really, don't countries like Canada and Russia have more than enough land and resources already? They are way too big for their small populations already. The claims they make today make them look like greedy idiots.

[lucknow]

Originally Posted by Neuling

I think continental shelves should not count. A country should only be the land area above sea level. After all, countries that are confined by an ocean already are more fortunate than land-locked ones, whose borders really end right there at the border, whereas the former have an additional territory off shore.

Since there is no land at the Arctic and ice is only water, the Arctic should be international waters outside the national waters around the land masses of those countries up there.

And really, don't countries like Canada and Russia have more than enough land and resources already? They are way too big for their small populations already. The claims they make today make them look like greedy idiots.

Did you ever consider how important it is to protect the environment in these very sensitive Arctic areas. Without some kind of sovereignty claims these territories would be wide open for a mad scramble for the resources there. The resulting environmental disaster would impact the entire world and especially those nations that border on the areas.

[Neuling]

Originally Posted by lucknow

Did you ever consider how important it is to protect the environment in these very sensitive Arctic areas. Without some kind of sovereignty claims these territories would be wide open for a mad scramble for the resources there. The resulting environmental disaster would impact the entire world and especially those nations that border on the areas.

I don't see any correlation there. Where have most oil spills of the past happened? In national waters if I am not mistaken, often very close to the shore.
Let's face it, nobody lives up there, thus companies will not care much about the environment. Money is always more important to that industry.