Former Coast Guard Officer Calls On U.S., Canada To Regulate Arctic Resources

Paris, France (AHN) - A former United States Coast Guard (USCG) official is calling for a U.S.-Canada treaty to regulate commercial shipping in the Arctic Ocean and manage the exploitation of the region's natural resources.

Former Lt. Cmdr. Scott Borgerson, a fellow at the influential Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), also called for a broad treaty with all Arctic countries and a bilateral deal with Canada to manage and police Arctic activity, including polar tourism and environmental protection.

Borgerson's call contained in a report published in the latest issue of Foreign Policy magazine is premised on the advent of an ice-free Arctic during summer by 2013 due to global warming. The condition is expected to increase vessel traffic in the northern sea lanes and energy exploration activities.

According to his report entitled "Arctic Meltdown: The Economic and Security Implications of Global Warming" and co-authored by 12 other fellows at the CFR, the lack of clear rules governing the economically and strategically vital region makes the Arctic a potential flashpoint.

Canada is claiming the sea routes along its northern coast dubbed Northwestern Passages as part of its territory. But the U.S., Russia, Denmark and Norway deemed the lanes as part of international waters.

According to Canada.com, Borgerson said, "Unless Washington leads the way toward a multilateral diplomatic solution, the Arctic could descend into armed conflict."