“ MOSCOW – Russia is reportedly planning to create a dedicated military force to help protect interests in the disputed Arctic Region.” From: The Canadian Press, March 27, 2009.
“On Feb. 18, two Russian Tupolev TU 95 bombers were turned away from Alaska and the Yukon about 200 kilometres from Canadian and U.S. airspace. Prime Minister Stephen Harper warned of “increasingly aggressive Russian actions around the globe and Russian intrusions into our airspace.”” From: The Canadian Press, March 27, 2009.
“In order to protect its assets, Moscow says one of its main goals will be the establishment of troops “capable of ensuring military security” in the [Arctic] region.” From: BBC News, March 27, 2009.
While most of the North American population waits for the “terrorists” to strike Canada is slowly losing its foothold in the race for the Arctic and its resources. Stephen Harper has pledged to stop these sorts of intrusions into Canadian boundaries, but how long will it be until the troops in Afghanistan have to come home only to be deployed back out?
At least Sheila Watt-Cloutier, a Canadian Inuit activist, is thinking about the sovereignty and independence of our nation:
“How can Canada ensure the peaceful use of the Arctic and allow respect for human right to radiate from the circumpolar North? I propose revitalizing an old idea with a “made-in-Canada” notion that was born in our northern land claims: an Arctic treaty that charges circumpolar indigenous peoples with the stewardship of the Arctic for the continued benefits of humankind...” From: The Globe and Mail, May 29, 2009.
Her idea may be a bit too idealistic, but it’s better than sitting back and watching Canada lose its own sovereignty at the cost of other nations imperialistic motives.
How long will it be until the Cold War becomes a reality?
How long will be until the leaders of this country open their eyes and see that our own front door is being knocked upon by foreign imperial powers?
How long until more Canadians die for the cost of economics?
Oh well, maybe this time they’ll be fighting for something worth dying for – our own sovereignty.
- Ty
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Maybe I'm a little biased on this, being a Canadian, but I just can't understand Russia. At times they seem like a nation who's worked hard to come around and become a really strong, great country. That gets along well with "the big boys". And then every once in awhile they pull stunts like this, that I really just can't wrap my head around it and understand how they think provoking other countries in this way is a good idea at all.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say your biased. I'd say you're pretty correct in the statements you made. It will be interesting to see how the United States reacts to this heated debate over Arctic sovereignty. If Canada wants to hold on too its foothold in the north it's going to be difficult without the cooperation of the United States.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, thank you for your comment. I think Russia is still living in a Cold War mentality a little, as in "no-one will touch us," sort of thing.
Thanks,
Ty