Russia to boost Arctic presence, plans new expedition

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Russia to boost Arctic presence, plans new expedition
Wed Aug 8, 2007 8:47AM EDT

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian explorers on Wednesday
announced a new expedition to the Arctic for later in the
year to boost Russia's presence there following a flag-laying
stunt on the seabed under the North Pole.

Russia has staked its position at the heart of a scramble
with the United States, Canada and Norway for the Arctic's
mineral wealth by sending a submersible to plant a Russian
flag on the ocean floor under the ice cap last week.

Moscow says it has a claim to a large chunk of the seabed
right up the North Pole because it is an extension of
Russia's continental shelf. But other Arctic powers are
skeptical.

-snip-

President Vladimir Putin congratulated the expedition
members at an audience with Chilingarov on Tuesday but
struck a cautious tone saying Russia needed to discuss the
claims with other countries and international organizations.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL0785133420070808