[NYTr] Chaavez Forms Presidential Commission to Study Antarctica

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Venezuela Information Office (VIO)
http://www.rethinkvenezuela.com

excerpted from VIO Venezuela Daily News Roundup - Jan 10, 2008

[A "Presidential Commission on Antarctica" has been created by President
Chavez to assess current "status reforms" to the Antarctic treaties and
rules.  In particular Venezuela hopes to be more involved in the
international environment and climate research, according to
Mercopress.   Under the international Law of the Sea, coastal countries
may make presentations before the United Nations to claim rights over
the adjoining sea shelf up to 350 miles.]


Mercopress - January 10, 2008
http://www.mercopress.com/vernoticia.do?id=12364

Venezuela Interested in Antarctica and Its Rich Resources

Venezuela prepares to move into Antarctica following the naming of a
"Presidential Commission on Antarctica" with the purpose of advising
President Hugo Chavez on an official policy on the matter.

According to Caracas sources the Chavez administration feels Venezuela
must be involved in the international environment and climate
scientific research with an open solidarity spirit including the
introduction of the necessary "status reforms" to the current Antarctic
treaties and rules.

A decree published in the Official Gazette states that it is the
responsibility of the Venezuelan state to promote the values of
"freedom, peace, solidarity, the common good, territorial integration,
ecological balance and legal support for environmental assets as a
common and non renounceable asset of Humanity".

The Venezuelan policy is in the framework of the Law of the Sea which
gives coastal countries until May 2009 to make presentations before
United Nations to claim rights over the adjoining sea shelf up to 350
miles.

The possibility of this option in Antarctica is controversial but
several countries have set their eyes and demands on polar regions
which apparently hold vast mineral and energy resources.

A few months ago the United Kingdom announced it was considering making
a presentation regarding the Antarctic Peninsula continental shelf. The
announcement brought immediate reactions from Chile and Argentina who
have anticipated a more active presence in Antarctica.

Press reports from Caracas indicate that none of the ministries
involved in the advisory committee were available for comments on the
decree.