U.S. STAKES CLAIM IN ARCTIC
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the U.S. will assert its sovereignty to defuse potential conflicts as countries like China and Russia expand their use of the icy waters.
In this March 19, 2011, photo released by the U. S. Navy, the USS Connecticut, a Sea Wolf- class nuclear submarine, surfaces through ice in the Arctic Ocean.
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — The U. S. will assert its sovereignty in the Arctic, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Friday, even as Russia, China and other nations stake claims and expand their use of the icy waters for military exercises and transit.
Speaking at a security forum, Hagel said energy exploration in the largely untapped Arctic region could heighten international tensions, but that countries must work together to avoid conflict,
“We will remain prepared to detect, deter, prevent and defeat threats to our homeland and we will continue to exercise U. S. sovereignty in and around Alaska,” Hagel said, as he unveiled the Pentagon’s new Arctic strategy.
With a nod to the increased interest in the Arctic’s lucrative oil and gas deposits, he added: “Throughout human history, mankind has raced to discover the next frontier. And time after time, discovery was swiftly followed by conflict. We cannot erase this history. But we can assure that history does not repeat itself in the Arctic.”
Hagel’s comments came as the military finalized plans to expand operations in the vast waters of the Arctic, where melting ice caps are opening sea lanes and giving nations like Russia greater access to the oil and gas deposits.
But it will take money and resources for the U.S. to fill the wide gaps in satellite and communications coverage, add deep-water ports and buy more ships that can withstand the frigid waters.
Hagel acknowledged the budget pressures, but he said the U.S. must map out its long-range plans despite the ongoing “deep and abrupt” spending cuts.
Hagel said the U.S. will remain prepared to defend itself from threats in the region.