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July 24th 2007
(2) Cold Hearted Russia
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I don’t know about other people but I’m getting seriously pissed off at Russia and it’s president who is so paranoid about his image and his country’s image that he has to display acts of ’strength’ and ‘macho-ism’ more often than using money to do things that actually benefit people other than high communist government officials.
It seemed that we were all fine when Russia’s president threatened to launch nuclear-capable missiles at us and now we are not even flinching as Russia puts forth its territorial claim to the Arctic. Personally, I’m alarmed and annoyed by yet another show of how greedy and naive the Russian government is. Russia is a country of over 17 million square kilometres - the largest country by area in the world - and has one of the worst poverty situations in the developed nations and now wants to stamp its ugly claim on the Arctic and the North Pole.
Cold Control
Historically, no country owns the North Pole and the countries surrounding the area are limited to a 200 mile economic zone around their coasts which is theirs to claim and defend. The United Nations wrote a clause into the agreement that all of those nations signed that said if they could prove that the Arctic continent was an extension from the continental plate they are on. Russia has been gathering evidence to support their claim that an area of the Arctic, including the North Pole, is actually such an extension.
Why would Russia go to such lengths - sending out submarines and research groups - to want to own the Arctic and the North Pole? I think you’ve guessed that it’s not because of the stunning scenery and long daylight hours. Yup, the life forces of all corrupt countries: oil and gas. The Arctic is a unique ecosystem and is known to have large natural gas, oil and mineral deposits (much like the Antarctic as well). Both the Antarctic and the Arctic have been protected from military abuse, industrial contamination and territorial claim but it seems that Russia would rather spoil the landscape and ecosystem for their energy needs than help their citizens. Oh, but don’t worry, they are spending more on weapons!
Moves like this only seek to disrupt attempts to reduce conflict between nations and Russia’s move in this case is a deliberate attempt to aggravate nations with which it has had disputes with lately. To me it seems that the US and Russia are have a girl fight. The US’s liberation invasion of Iraq was a strategic decision with a main objective to secure control of oil and gas reserves for American companies and thus for the US. Russia’s attempt to use a legal route to make a territorial claim to the Arctic area and thus the energy stores are a direct component of the decision to invade Iraq. The official submission was presented by Russia in 2001 whilst the invasion of Iraq began in 2003.
In It Alone?
Russia isn’t the only nation wishing to lay claim to the unique and fragile territory. Surprisingly, Canada also seems to have a quite aggressive claim to the area with more of a militarised ambition.
I really truthfully hope that the UN and the nations in it, especially those that surround the Arctic and have been mature enough not to stake a claim in it try every route possible in order to stop Russia (and Canada) spoiling one of the few remaining virtually unspoilt areas on this rocky ball called Earth. Not because I want Russia to run out of electricity but because I want to see less destruction of the Earth, less of a dependency on fossil fuels and Russia to become more concerned about its own citizens than how many bombs it has.
Is this Russia’s next Cold War? I sincerely hope not. I will not stand for Russia exerting its dominance over energy when what the world needs is for countries to unite in their differences. We are facing troubles on scales never seen before like rising sea levels, more conflict and drought and what we don’t need are countries turning away - we need countries collaborating, working together and trying to produce solutions that benefit all; not just those who can afford them.
No Respect Due
President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, with all due respect, you seem to think that the more territory you have the bigger your balls will seem to other people. That’s not the way it is any more - just look at us British. Come out of your damn coma, open your eyes and put your balls back in your trousers. I will not stand for your futile shows of strength. I will not stand for your attempts to pollute the environment. I certainly will not stand for your ability to sell your undemocratic and extremist views on as those views of the real people in it. You, and countries like you, are standing in the way of true good. I sincerely hope I am around to see Russia turn into a country that does good for the world and one that doesn’t supply a third of the weapons in the world. You are one problem of many that exist. Either you help to solve some problems or you remain one that we will have to solve. Your choice. Don’t bring us into war once again, we will not stoop to your level.
There are so many things I’d like to say but my typing doesn’t quite reach the speed of my thoughts.
Agreed, he’s a ‘tard.
The UN law states that a country can control a 200mi zone around it’s coast? Well, the arctic has no coast, it’s not a land mass, therefore surely Russia and Canada have no claim whatsoever.
And the Arctic is far from an unaffected ecosystem, whaling, contaminants from other major oceans such as the atlantic and pacific and military snooping are starting to affect the ecosystem.
Also, only in summer is it constantly day time. In winter it is constantly night time.
…around the border-countries’ coasts.
…virtually unspoilt. It’s one of the less spoiled areas in this world. Why shouldn’t we save it? We need to stop military exercises, of which Britain is a culprit, there also.
I know the light, dark system thank you. And the Arctic does have land. It’s a vast ice covered area. How do you think people walked to the North Pole?
I should just edit your post instead of having to correct you like this.