- Jul 2, 2018
- 2,694
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"Dear Mr. Prime Minister, It has come to my attention that Sweden has decided to embark on a, let's say, ambitious? plan to claim the entirety of Antarctica. While we admire your ambition, we can't help but hold concern that your claim now overlaps our small claim which we call the "Ross Dependency". New Zealand Scientists operate regularly out of this area from Scott Base and we want to have assurances from the Swedish Government that your claims remain as they are, just claims. We do not want to see a build-up of military forces in Antarctica. This would threaten the fragile ecosystem and the scientific work which numerous countries conduct down there. We want a mutual assurance of keeping Antarctica conflict-free and the only military we see down there are assisting the valuable work of our scientists. Yours Sincerely, The Right Honourable Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand." |