11 May 2010
chilingarov on arctic rights
‘ Право России на часть Арктики не может быть подвергнуто сомнению’ – the right of russia to part of the arctic cannot be called into question. This is the formulation of words that Chilingarov used when interviewed in a journal called Economic Security. Again, in relation to this post I would assert again that this precise choice of words is a good one.
He could, for example, have said that the right of russia to the Arctic cannot be doubted, but of course he said part of the Arctic. But also the phrase ‘cannot be called into question’ implies something about the process which would determine such a right. And although the sentence sounds, in advance of UN discusions and resolutions, uncompromising, this is, in fact, a potentially entirely reasonable opinion, in the liberal sense of the word.
Again, much will depend on what the UN eventually decides.
Chilingarov also refers to the new ‘погранзастав’ – stronger, border?, weaker boundary line? - on the NSR.
Chilingarov’s reference to ‘погранзастав’ appears to be a reference to the plan to establish border guard bases near the eastern and western ends of the NSR. (At least my dictionary defines ‘погранзастав’ to mean ‘frontier base’). The intent to establish these bases is relatively recent. I believe the intent is for then to serve both administrative and operational functions regarding NSR traffic. That makes a lot more sense than having the NSR administration limited to offices in Archangel and Provideniya alone.