Russia and the Scramble for the Arctic

The National reported last night on the developments of the arctic confrontation between Canada and Russia and the oil which potentially lies below the ice. Chilingarov the Russian political figure leading the effort of Russian sovereignty belittled Canadian claims to the arctic. Chilingarov is the man responsible for the planting of the Russian flag below the ice as a message directly to Canada that Russia has both the right and ability to control the North Pole region.

Russia has until next year to prove its claim to the North Pole to the UN, Canada has until 2013. With 25% of the world's oil and gas reserves could be located here and the race is on for either Canada or Russia to claim its ownership.

Last week Russia announced that they will soon be positioning troops in this region of the arctic, creating stations under the control of the Federal Security Service. (The successor of the KGB)

Chilingarov told CBC that there is no cold war today and that it is useless for Canada to fight for control of the arctic. He argues that only Russia has the ability to establish a presence in this region, thus giving them rights to the region through a military presence which will soon be underway. Even if Canada wanted to stake claim to the North Pole, Chilingarov says that Canada does not have the equipment to do so. He also pointed out that merely saying that the arctic is Canadian territory is not enough, but a physical presence is needed. Action must be taken on the part of Canada if they even want to contend.

While Russia says that they will abide by the decision set by the UN as to who has control over the region, they feel that with lack of Canadian initiative or presence they have already proved their claim.