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Canada Vows to Defend Pole

New patrol vessels to venture out as Arctic tensions escalate with Russia

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Aug 10, 2007 2:56 PM CDT

(Newser) – As Russia presses claims to the North Pole, Canada is stepping up its defense of its Arctic territory and will no longer take its sovereignty "too lighty," PM Stephen Harper declared yesterday during an Arctic tour. Canada is building six patrol vessels to guard the icy territory where Russia planted a flag in the seabed last week, the BBC reports.

The five countries bordering the Arctic have jurisdiction over 200 miles of territorial waters, though can claim more if they prove their continental shelves link to the Arctic seabed.The disputed area is not owned by any single country but is governed by international agreements. Melting polar ice has spurred a flurry of competing claims over access to Arctic resources.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivers a speech after... (Getty Images (by Event))

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper talks during a press conference... (Getty Images (by Event))

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Canada Vows to Defend Pole

New patrol vessels to venture out as Arctic tensions escalate with Russia

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Danes Join Scramble for Arctic

Denmark to launch expedition to Arctic to defend territorial claims

Russians Advance on North Pole

With eye on energy-rich seabed, submarines make test dive

US Expedition Heads to Arctic

Expedition joins scramble to lay claim to the Arctic

Look Out, Santa: Russia Claims North Pole

Rich oil and gas reserves lie beneath ownership dispute

Russia Poised to Make Mammoth Arctic Sea Grab

Scramble for melting Arctic starting to heat up

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Canada Vows to Defend Pole

New patrol vessels to venture out as Arctic tensions escalate with Russia

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Russia • Canada • North Pole • Arctic • natural resources • Stephen Harper • patrol vessels • territory

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Danes Join Scramble for Arctic

Denmark to launch expedition to Arctic to defend territorial claims

Russians Advance on North Pole

With eye on energy-rich seabed, submarines make test dive

US Expedition Heads to Arctic

Expedition joins scramble to lay claim to the Arctic

Look Out, Santa: Russia Claims North Pole

Rich oil and gas reserves lie beneath ownership dispute

Russia Poised to Make Mammoth Arctic Sea Grab

Scramble for melting Arctic starting to heat up

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?