Washington Post: Clinton rebukes Canada at Arctic meeting

[tuvor]

OTTAWA -- It was supposed to be a meeting of polar pals. But a high-level session on the dramatic changes in the Arctic turned chilly Monday, as Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton rapped Canada for leaving out several players.

The Canadian government invited the other four countries with Arctic coastlines -- Russia, Norway, Denmark and the United States -- to hold talks on developing the region, which is being transformed by climate change.

But in an indication of the intrigue and suspicion involved in the opening of the resource-rich region, three other countries and several indigenous groups complained about being excluded.

...

The three nations that were unhappy about being excluded from Monday's meeting -- Sweden, Finland and Iceland -- are not internationally recognized as bordering the Arctic. However, they belong to the Arctic Council, the main international body focused on its development.

Clinton's comments conveyed her dismay at any moves that could increase tensions in the Arctic region...

...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/29/AR2010032903577.html

[daleo]

1. Clinton and Obama don't like Harper

No surprise there.

Interesting that the Harper government would cut aboriginals out of these talks. I guess their concern for northern aboriginal interests is only seal skin deep.