Russia's Charm Offensive

Russia has made it abundantly clear that it will not be taken advantage of just because it's such a laid-back and easy-going country with a government eager to please its allies, and pleased to reassure its former satellites that it quite enjoys a good laugh.

The message is in and abundantly clear, given the huge economic stakes in the Arctic, enticingly opening up for new shipping routes and oil and gas drilling. Russia will have Canada, Denmark, Norway and the United States know it is completely serious.

Well, the hint was dropped when Russia planted that undersea flag, and boasted that the Siberian continental shelf extended far into the Arctic seabed. "Based on scientific observations, we will prove our connection to that shelf (and) we will prove it in the framework of international norms and laws."

Funny thing that, Canada, Denmark, Norway and the United States feel likewise. So they will agree to agree to something like a five-way split, but Russia begs...begs...to differ.

"We are not squeezing anyone out" Artur Chilingarov, Russia's special envoy for international co-operation in the Arctic and Antarctic, bristled. While it drafts legislation to consolidate control over the Northern Sea Route, to ensure it has control over its use.

To block foreign military ships, bar entry to commercial ships it takes exception to, levy fees, and require foreign vessels to make use of Russian pilots and ice-breakers. "We are taking on ourselves the responsibility for safe navigation." There, they've everyone else's best interests at heart.

Just being a good and thoughtful citizen-country of the world. But, said the special envoy, Russia is prepared to respect international treaties and stands ready to co-operate with the other four countries with claims to the Arctic. Just so long as they quite understand the fact that Russia claims sovereignty over parts of the Arctic that Canada is quite convinced she has sovereignty over.

"All that is in our northern, Arctic regions. It is our Russia." And while international law recognizes that the countries having an Arctic coastline have a 320-kilometre economic zone north of their borders, Russia is adamant; hers is a larger slice, thanks to the Lomonosov Ridge. "Look at the map. Who is there nearby? All our northern regions are in or come out into the Arctic."

Not so, says Canada, and Denmark is helping to prove it.