Expansionist Britain wants more Atlantic seabed
Wednesday, 27 Aug 2008 09:14
Offshore energy is behind Britain's bid
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Britain will seek to gain additional seabed in the South Atlantic Ocean by asking the UN today to extend Ascension Island's underwater borders.
The BBC reports Britain will submit a claim to the United Nations' Commission for the Limits of the Continental Shelf seeking an extension of the area of seabed it controls in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Such a move could see Britain benefit from any natural resources the underwater territory holds, like oil or gas.
Ascencion Island played a crucial role in the Falklands war, when it was used as the base from which the RAF's Vulcan bombers launched a long-distance raid destroying the airfield at Port Stanley.