Russia’s Claim to North Pole Ahead of May 13, 2009 Deadline
Come and get it.
Countries have from now until May 13th, 2009 to lay claim to seabeds beyond existing 200 nautical miles (370kms) zones if it is part of a continental shelf in shallower waters.
Russia recently attempted a land grab without a fight when explorers used a mechanical arm from a submersible to plant a rust proof Russian tricolor flag under the
North Pole.
Canada and Greenland, administered by Denmark, are on the other end of the same ridge.
Australia, France and Brazil have also made other claims to ridges.
Easter Island, Ascension Island could wind up owning huge tracts of seabeds and the riches that MAY be in them. Madagascar may be able to claim a shelf stretching to Antarctica.
The biggest problems, however, are likey to be in the South China Sea (Japan and China are already at odds) and in the Arctic Ocean.
Meanwhile, Russia is hoping the Global Warming monster will free up some of the frozen north so that its claim becomes something much more worth fighting for.
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