 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
Moscow (AFP) Oct 2, 2010 Russia is strengthening its naval presence in the Arctic, a senior Russian military official said on Saturday, stoking concerns of a scramble to secure rights to the region's energy-rich seabed. "The reinforcement in the Arctic of all Northern and Pacific Fleet units is continuing," Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti news agency. The admiral said a proposal had been made to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that battleships be deployed in Russia's Arctic ports to protect polar sea routes. The melting of the polar icecap could open up new sea routes between Asia and Europe across Russia's vast northern fringe. Furthermore, geological surveys indicate that the Arctic contains huge reserves of oil and natural gas. Vysotsky's comments are likely to irk other Arctic nations such as Canada and the United States, who dispute Russia's territorial claims in the region. Last month Putin called for a "zone of peace" in the Arctic, and dismissed predictions of a "battle for the Arctic".
earlier related report The state news agency RIA Novosti quoted First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov as saying that it did not make sense to speak of the resumption of grain exports ahead of winter. "It is not worth raising the issue before transition to the new season -- until July 1, 2011," Zubkov was quoted as saying. Last month, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Russia would not lift a ban on grain exports before next year's harvest. He did not give a specific timeline however. Agriculture experts said at the time that the ban would not be lifted until at least July 2011 when farmers begin harvesting in the country's south and the government would have an idea of the amount grown. Putin initially banned grain exports from August 15 to the end of this year as Russia saw its harvest decimated by the worst drought in years.
Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
US spy chief to brief senators on Russia nuclear treatyWashington (AFP) Sept 28, 2010 US spy chief James Clapper will brief senators Wednesday on intelligence issues tied to a landmark nuclear treaty with Russia, amid worries about Moscow's compliance, a lawmaker said Tuesday. Republicans have concerns about the agreement and "we'll raise those in the closed hearing" said Senator Kit Bond, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee. Clapper, the US director o ... read more |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2010 - SpaceDaily. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Google
Facebook
