NATO has 'no intention' to up presence in Arctic (90 billion barrels of oil may be there)

[The Straight Story]

NATO has 'no intention' to up presence in Arctic

NATO has no plans to increase its presence in the Arctic, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Wednesday despite numerous countries' keen interest in the region's vast natural resources.

"NATO has no intention of increasing its presence and activities in the Far North," Fogh Rasmussen said in Oslo after spending two days visiting northern Norway.

The Arctic is believed to hold some 90 billion barrels of oil and 30 percent of the world's yet-to-be discovered natural gas resources.

Those riches have become increasingly accessible as the Arctic ice shrinks. Not only countries bordering the Arctic Ocean are keen to claim the resources but also other nations further afield, such as China, are looking on with interest.

Several states, including Russia, Canada and the United States, have already announced a reinforcement of their military presence to defend their claims.

http://www.thelocal.no/20130508/nato-has-no-intention-of-increasing-arctic-presence#.UZZ1Ekr4KSo

[dipsydoodle]

1. Good

Nato serves no useful current purpose anyway.