Canadian military will defend claim over Arctic waters

[NVMojo]

IQALUIT, Nunavut — The world has taken notice of the vast economic potential of the Far North, and it is vital that Canada demonstrate its sovereignty over the rich waters off its Arctic coast, says Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Mr. Harper returned Sunday from a short stay in the northernmost community in the world, the remote military outpost in Alert, Nunavut, on the northern tip of Ellesmere Island.

Alert, along with Arctic waters 200 nautical miles off the northern shore, are Canadian territory, the prime minister said, and the military will defend that claim.

“The economics and the strategic value of northern resource development are growing more attractive and critical to our nation,” Mr. Harper said during a speech in front of the Nunavut legislature on Saturday, the first day of his first visit to the northern territories.

“And trust me, it's not only Canadians who are noticing. It's no exaggeration to say that the need to assert our sovereignty and take action to protect our territorial integrity in the Arctic has never been more urgent.”

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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060813.warctic0813/BNStory/Front/Politics/?cid=al_gam_nletter_thehill

[Pithlet]

1. Duplicate.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2454513