Chile to Lay Claim to Piece of Antarctica

http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=51808

Chile's foreign minister said Monday that his country will ask the U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf to recognize Santiago's claim of sovereignty over a chunk of Antarctica.

Alejandro Foxley told reporters the move is in response to Britain's announced intention to assert rights over oil and gas resources in a portion of the Antarctic seabed that overlaps Chile's
claim.

"No one can encumber Chile's rights in regard to Antarctic territory," the minister said, pointing out that the deadline for filing a motion with the U.N. Commission is May 2009.

He said Chile would argue that that Antarctic seabed "is a projection or prolongation of the continential shelf."

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