France wants to claim the seabed of St Pierre et Miquelon.

[Vancouverite]

The residents are hard hit by the collapse of the cod fishery, so France is trying to claim 200 miles of the surrouhding seabed for their use. I think this is a lost cause - the islands should just join Canada.

http://www.vancouversun.com/Technology/Ott...9824/story.html

Edited March 27, 2009 by Vancouverite

[DogOnPorch]

The residents are hard hit by the collapse of the cod fishery, so France is trying to claim 200 miles of the surrouhding seabed for their use. I think this is a lost cause - the islands should just join Canada.

http://www.vancouversun.com/Technology/Ott...9824/story.html

Depends on the residents, I suppose. the same thing could be said re: The Falklands and Argentina.

[tango]

The residents are hard hit by the collapse of the cod fishery, so France is trying to claim 200 miles of the surrouhding seabed for their use. I think this is a lost cause - the islands should just join Canada.

http://www.vancouversun.com/Technology/Ott...9824/story.html

And Canada should just join the US?

They have a right to self-determination, and if we don't support their right, then we have no right either.

slippery slope!

[bush_cheney2004]

And Canada should just join the US?

No, Canada can't "just join" the US....but that will not stop such rampant neurosis.

[tango]

No, Canada can't "just join" the US....but that will not stop such rampant neurosis.

Hey no offense man, if that offends you.

It offends us too. But the fact is it's a line we often hear from your compadres. (not you of course, so don't be offended)

Just making a facetious comparison to make a point to vancouver ... a point that appears to have escaped you.

[Vancouverite]

Of course they have the right to self-determination. I'm just saying they should be asked to join, and, if a clear majority says yes to a clear question in a referendum, then it's a yes.

[August1991]

The residents are hard hit by the collapse of the cod fishery, so France is trying to claim 200 miles of the surrouhding seabed for their use. I think this is a lost cause - the islands should just join Canada.

This is an old story.

From link in OP:

The Canadian government formally expressed its objection Wednesday to France's plans to go to the United Nations, claiming thousands of square kilometres of potentially lucrative seabed beyond Canada's 200-mile (370-kilometre) zone.

The word "beyond" is critical.

Harper has said that he intends to extend Canada's custodial management of the Grand Banks beyond the 200 mile limit (to the nose and tail). France is responding in similar fashion.

IMV, the Law of the Sea should have defined national custody based on natural divides (eg. the continental shelf) rather than arbitrary limits (eg. 200 nautical miles). Anyway, both France and Canada have an interest in solving this. They don't want Russians, Portuguese or Spaniards taking what fish there are.

Of course they have the right to self-determination. I'm just saying they should be asked to join, and, if a clear majority says yes to a clear question in a referendum, then it's a yes.

I doubt the people of St-Pierre would vote to join Newfoundland. For a variety of reasons, they prefer their current status and la Métropole will support them.

BTW, I had the chance to travel to St-Pierre. It's an odd French fishing village in the middle of nowhere.

Edited March 28, 2009 by August1991