[DEBATE] : Arctic seabed 'belongs to Russia'

[Riaz K. Tayob]

  BBC NEWS
Arctic seabed 'belongs to Russia'
A Russian expedition has proved that a ridge of mountains below the 
Arctic Ocean is part of Russia's continental shelf, government officials 
have said.

The Natural Resources Ministry said tests on soil samples showed Russia 
was linked to the Lomonosov Ridge.

Moscow has mounted several expeditions recently - and risked tensions 
with rivals in August by planting a flag in the seabed below the North Pole.

The Arctic is thought to be rich in oil, gas and mineral reserves.

Correspondents say Russia's main rivals for the supposed spoils - the 
US, Canada and Denmark - have been angered by Moscow's recent aggressive 
strategy in the region.

Under a United Nations convention, the country claiming ownership of the 
region's ocean floor must show evidence that the seabed is an extension 
of their continental shelf.

Evidence claim

Moscow has repeatedly argued that the Lomonosov Ridge is part of its 
land mass - and now the Natural Resources Ministry believes it has the 
proof.

The ministry said analysis of samples from the ridge - taken in May and 
June - showed "the structure of the underwater Lomonosov mountain chain 
is similar to the world's other continental shelves".

The statement added: "The ridge is therefore part of Russia's land mass."

Marine research official Viktor Posyolov told Russia's Tass news agency 
the claim could extend Russia's seabed by 1.2m sq km (463,323 sq miles).

He said the territory could potentially yield 10,000 billion tonnes of 
conventional fuel.

In a further sign of its intent, the Kremlin announced that four 
strategic bombers were to make training flights over the Arctic and the 
Atlantic Ocean.

Rival expeditions

Russia's claim to a vast swathe of territory in the Arctic has sparked 
an increasingly tense rivalry with other countries who believe they have 
a claim.

After Russia planted its flag in the seabed, Canada vowed to increase 
its icebreaker fleet and build two new military facilities in the Arctic.

Denmark recently sent a team of scientists to the Arctic ice pack to 
seek evidence that the Lomonosov Ridge was attached to the Danish 
territory of Greenland.

And a US Coast Guard icebreaker also set off late last month for a 
research expedition - although scientists said the trip had been planned 
well before the Russian move.

Competition for territorial and economic rights has heated up as melting 
polar ice caps have introduced the possibility of exploiting the 
previously inaccessible seabed.

1) North Pole:
Russia leaves its flag on the seabed, 4,000m (13,100ft) beneath the surface
2) Lomonosov Ridge:
Russia argues that this underwater feature is an extension of its 
continental territory
3) 200-nautical mile (370km) line:
Shows how far countries' agreed
4) Russian-claimed territory:
The bid to claim a vast area is being closely watched by other countries

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/7005483.stm

Published: 2007/09/20 20:57:21 GMT

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