02 Aug 07
1 edit
Russia has planted a flag on the seabed under the North Pole, in an effort to extend its control over the Arctic.
While this is an interesting tactic, it seems to be more of a publicity stunt than a serious land claim. I thought there were various treaties regarding "international waters" and such.
See http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/070802/canada/canada_russia_arctic_canada_col
(Although I agree with the general sentiments expressed by the Canadian government on this, I don't think mocking Russia is such a good idea.)
02 Aug 07
Originally posted by richjohnsonA flag! That's hilarious. I'm going to try this with my neighbor's yard and see how it goes.
Russia has planted a flag on the seabed under the North Pole, in an effort to extend its control over the Arctic.
While this is an interesting tactic, it seems to be more of a publicity stunt than a serious land claim. I thought there were various treaties regarding "international waters" and such.
See http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/070802/c ...[text shortened]... ressed by the Canadian government on this, I don't think mocking Russia is such a good idea.)
02 Aug 07
Originally posted by AThousandYoungYes, but that was also largely for PR purposes:
The US did it on the moon...
"Although several flags of the Soviet Union (scattered by Luna 2 in 1959 and by later landing missions) and the United States have been symbolically planted on the Moon, no nation currently claims ownership of any part of the Moon's surface. Russia and the US are party to the Outer Space Treaty, which places the Moon under the same jurisdiction as international waters (res communis). This treaty also restricts the use of the Moon to peaceful purposes, explicitly banning military installations and weapons of mass destruction (including nuclear weapons).
A second treaty, the Moon Treaty, was proposed to restrict the exploitation of the Moon's resources by any single nation, but it has not been signed by any of the space-faring nations. Several individuals have made claims to the Moon in whole or in part, although none of these are generally considered credible."
(from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon#Legal_status, footnotes removed, bold added)
03 Aug 07
Originally posted by richjohnsonThe Canadians did the right thing. Russia should be publicly humiliated.
Russia has planted a flag on the seabed under the North Pole, in an effort to extend its control over the Arctic.
While this is an interesting tactic, it seems to be more of a publicity stunt than a serious land claim. I thought there were various treaties regarding "international waters" and such.
See http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/070802/c ...[text shortened]... ressed by the Canadian government on this, I don't think mocking Russia is such a good idea.)
03 Aug 07
Originally posted by richjohnsonSo where are these lunar flags exactly?
Yes, but that was also largely for PR purposes:
"Although several flags of the Soviet Union (scattered by Luna 2 in 1959 and by later landing missions) and the United States have been symbolically planted on the Moon, no nation currently claims ownership of any part of the Moon's surface. [b]Russia and the US are party to the Outer Space Treaty, which ...[text shortened]... le."
(from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon#Legal_status, footnotes removed, bold added)
Are these the same ones that flutter in the wind on the videos?
03 Aug 07
Originally posted by AThousandYoungWe're buying more ships because the arctic ice is melting so we need more boats since there will be more area to look after.
They're buying more warships! It's another Cold War, but this time Canada's taking the lead!
The Russians are crazy. But as usual, it's all about the oil/gas.