PING
Its funny how there's this sudden spate of sea border dispute stories-- Its like they're trying to brainwash America to support the idea that we must have a law of the sea treaty to deal with all these border issues.
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US trying to steal Canadian oil up north
Monday, July 05 2004 @ 11:02 AM MDT
Contributed by: N Say
Canada starts seabed mapping to claim underwater petroleum in Arctic
Last Updated Sat, 03 Jul 2004 23:01:33
YELLOWKNIFE - Canada is trying a new tactic in the 30-year-old dispute with the United States over the boundary under the Beaufort Sea.
By mapping the seabed using radar, the government will take a step towards establishing sovereignty under international law.
The 2004 budget allocated $51 million over 10 years to map the Arctic continental shelf.
"The data collected will lead to a formal submission under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and help secure Canada's sovereignty in the High Arctic," the budget said.
Canada claims the border under the Beaufort Sea runs straight from the Alaska-Northwest Territories border. The U.S. says it angles east from the shoreline.
At stake is a huge volume of sub-sea oil and gas.
The U.S. recently offered four development licences to American companies in the disputed area.
The Department of Foreign Affairs responded with a diplomatic note saying Canada rejects the U.S. effort to claim jurisdiction, a spokesperson said.
Written by CBC News Online staff
http://www.vivelecanada.ca/article.php?story=20040704155830330