Canada Underestimates Russia’s Arctic Intentions
Though my home country Canada often has the reputation as the world’s boy scout, seeking the approval of others for its moral conduct, there is also a sense of healthy chauvinism when it comes to defending basic independence, territory, and sovereignty. However the push to claim an enormous slice of the Arctic by the Russian government over the past number of years has put these two national personalities to the acid test.
It is disheartening to see that the current reaction of Canada to Russia’s string of provocations, from flag planting to dropping paratroopers into the disputed territory, has been reckless nonchalance. In comments made earlier this week and quoted in the Globe and Mail, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon displayed what is in my opinion a deep misunderstanding of Kremlin motives: “I don’t take this Russian initiative very seriously,” he said, “it seemed to me that the Russians were just pulling stunts.“
I have for some time urged the Canadian government to thoughtfully study the Russian approach to the Arctic, a policy which under the direction of Igor Sechin and others represents a far greater threat to Canadian interests than Cannon appears to realize. These gestures are much more meaningful than simple stunts. This morning I had the opportunity to call a friend and colleague in Moscow, Vladimir Gladyshev, who is an international lawyer and expert on Russia’s approach to territorial issues (as well as one of the key witnesses in the precedent-setting Yukos Energy Charter Treaty decision). Gladyshev had the following to say on Cannon’s remarks to the Globe and Mail: