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U.S. Ambassador Wilkins: 'We Don't Recognize Canada's Claims' to The Arctic |
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Written by Staff
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Thursday, 26 January 2006 |
U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins said on Wednesday in Ontario that the United States opposes a plan by Prime Minister-designate Stephen Harper to increase Canada's military presence in the Arctic adding that Canada should not create a problem that doesn't exist.
Part of Harper's election campaign involved the promise to increase military spending in the Arctic regions to better protect Canada's northern interests as well as better monitor and stop foreign submarines from using Canadian waters without Ottawa's permission as happened late last year. The Conservative plan includes Arctic national sensor systems for underwater activity "listening" purposes and the construction of three armed icebreakers which would be based near Iqualuit.
The United States along with such nations as Denmark and Russia have long refused to recognize Canada's sovereignty over the northern Arctic waters.
Ambassador Wilkins has stated that Harper's proposed plans for increased Arctic defence are unnecessary adding, "We don't recognize Canada's claims to those waters. Most other countries do not recognize their claim. We have agreed to disagree."
Wilkins also made a point of restating U.S. expectations of less American-bashing under a Harper administration. The ambassador and U.S. President Bush both made official congratulatory calls to Mr. Harper within hours of his election. |
