Post by Rose on Jun 14, 2006 23:24:42 GMT -5
here is another interesting tidbit sent in by Kelly (thank you)..
The following is a news item posted on CBC NEWS ONLINE
at www.cbc.ca/news
____________________________________________________
MELTING ICE THREATENS SOVEREIGNTY OVER ARCTIC WATERS, EXPERT WARNS
WebPosted Wed, 14 Jun 2006 11:01:11
---Experts are urging the federal government to act quickly to enhance Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic before melting ice encourages more foreign vessels to use the Northwest Passage.
Some scientists predict that within 25 years, climate change could melt ice in Arctic waters, leaving them ice-free during summer months and thin enough to be kept open in the winter.
Ships travelling from Asia to Europe could trim 5,000 kilometres by
taking the Northwest Passage, as opposed to the current route through the Panama Canal.
The United States doesn't recognize Canada's right to control who travels through the Northwest Passage. Washington believes many Arctic waterways are an international strait that any ship should be free to transit.
Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said he's repeatedly raised the issue of Arctic sovereignty with American officials, including U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
"It's one of those long-standing issues that we always press. We will continue to make the case at every opportunity and every international gathering where it's a relevant point," said MacKay.
Michael Byers, a University of British Columbia professor, said Ottawa must do more to assert its control in the North.
Melting ice may encourage foreign vessels to frequent Arctic waters, bringing illegal immigrants or weapons into Canada, he said.
Byers criticized the federal government for failing to act on its
promises to buy three armed polar ice breakers and to establish a deep-water port on Baffin Island.
"That's a serious shortcoming and it's not the fault of any of the people in the Armed Forces who do a wonderful job," said Byers. "It's the fault of governments who haven't taken the issue seriously for decades now."
MacKay said the government does plan to increase its presence in the Arctic, but added it is up to the minister of national defence.
"This government takes its sovereignty over the Arctic very seriously," said MacKay. "Canada's Arctic is Canada's Arctic. True
north strong and free."
In 1985, the Arctic waterways made headlines when the U.S. sent the Polar Sea icebreaker through the Northwest Passage without notifying Canada or asking permission. The ensuing political skirmish produced a Canada-U.S. agreement in which Washington promised to ask for Canadian consent in the future, and Ottawa promised to always give that permission.
The following is a news item posted on CBC NEWS ONLINE
at www.cbc.ca/news
____________________________________________________
MELTING ICE THREATENS SOVEREIGNTY OVER ARCTIC WATERS, EXPERT WARNS
WebPosted Wed, 14 Jun 2006 11:01:11
---Experts are urging the federal government to act quickly to enhance Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic before melting ice encourages more foreign vessels to use the Northwest Passage.
Some scientists predict that within 25 years, climate change could melt ice in Arctic waters, leaving them ice-free during summer months and thin enough to be kept open in the winter.
Ships travelling from Asia to Europe could trim 5,000 kilometres by
taking the Northwest Passage, as opposed to the current route through the Panama Canal.
The United States doesn't recognize Canada's right to control who travels through the Northwest Passage. Washington believes many Arctic waterways are an international strait that any ship should be free to transit.
Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said he's repeatedly raised the issue of Arctic sovereignty with American officials, including U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
"It's one of those long-standing issues that we always press. We will continue to make the case at every opportunity and every international gathering where it's a relevant point," said MacKay.
Michael Byers, a University of British Columbia professor, said Ottawa must do more to assert its control in the North.
Melting ice may encourage foreign vessels to frequent Arctic waters, bringing illegal immigrants or weapons into Canada, he said.
Byers criticized the federal government for failing to act on its
promises to buy three armed polar ice breakers and to establish a deep-water port on Baffin Island.
"That's a serious shortcoming and it's not the fault of any of the people in the Armed Forces who do a wonderful job," said Byers. "It's the fault of governments who haven't taken the issue seriously for decades now."
MacKay said the government does plan to increase its presence in the Arctic, but added it is up to the minister of national defence.
"This government takes its sovereignty over the Arctic very seriously," said MacKay. "Canada's Arctic is Canada's Arctic. True
north strong and free."
In 1985, the Arctic waterways made headlines when the U.S. sent the Polar Sea icebreaker through the Northwest Passage without notifying Canada or asking permission. The ensuing political skirmish produced a Canada-U.S. agreement in which Washington promised to ask for Canadian consent in the future, and Ottawa promised to always give that permission.