Photo : The Guardian
IN FOCUS
By Padmashree Anandhan
Denmark and Canada sign deal ending the 49 years dispute over Hans Island
On 13 June, Denmark and Canada reached a deal over an uninhabited island in the Arctic. The foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly signed the deal officially with Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod and Greenland's Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede marking the end of the Hans Island dispute. Kofod said: “As we stand here today, we see a gross violation of international rules unfold in another part of the world. In contrast, we have demonstrated how long-standing international disputes can be resolved peacefully and playing by the rules.” Through the agreement, both Denmark and Canada will divide the island from the rift that goes from north to south which will establish the world’s longest maritime border of 3,882 kilometers.
Hans Island dispute: Three things to know
First, the geography of the Island. Hans Island is located in the Kennedy Channel between Canada’s Ellesmere Island and Denmark’s semi-autonomous territory of Greenland. Till now no mineral sources or oils have been found. It has been used only by Greenland’s Inuit community for hunting purposes. The Island’s mass extends to 0.5 square miles which became the start point for flag wars as it forms part of the oil and reserves of the Nares Strait.
Second, deals signed till now. Starting from the1973, when Denmark and Canada began the talks over Hans Island to discuss the boundary and underwater rights. In 1984, Canada stepped further by installing its troops on the rock and planted a maple leaf flag and a bottle of whisky indicating the land belongs to Canada, which turned into a war of symbols when Denmark replaced it with the Danish flag and schnapps. After continued clashes in 2002 and 2005, by 2018 both Denmark and Canada established a joint committee to settle the Island dispute. Currently, both parties have signed the agreement, post parliamentary approval the Island will be divided in 60:40 proportion where Denmark will take have the bigger share.
Third, the actors in the dispute. The three main actors in the deal are Denmark, Canada, and the Greenland Inuit community. Although the Islands hold no good resources, prolonging the conflict close to 50 years shows the leadership and conflict resolution capacity of both Denmark and Canada. Both the actors have been acting on tit for tat basis and have ignored to resolve the dispute in simpler means. This also brings a question on the future value Hans Island holds, which has made Denmark and Canada clash. Apart from the two actors, the Inuit community has a direct connection with the Island as it is used for fishing and hunting activities. Although their rights have been taken into concern during the agreement, the upcoming decades will decide their accessibility.
What does the deal mean?
First, the question of diplomacy and conflict resolution. The leaders of Denmark, Canada, and the international community view this war over Hans Island as the friendliest of all disputes. They also said that it sent a strong signal amidst the Ukraine war on how diplomacy and rule of law can well play and set an example for conflict resolution. On one hand, as it seems very believable, on the other hand, it also lays the base for larger fear. When two most friendly countries can take close to 49 years to split an island that does not contain any resources, what will be the scenario if it was an essential piece to deal with their energy issues, or what will be the state of the Island if is found to be resourceful in future. The signed deal might have the chance to be violated by either of the countries. If this has to be taken as an example then one can expect the Ukraine war to extend for decades.
Second, a precursor to Arctic wars. The dispute gives a precursor to the intensity of conflicts in the Arctic zone between countries. Although the agreement between Denmark and Canada has provided a clear division, the geographic significance of the Island and the oils the seabed holds below were the underlying factors for the dispute to prolong. In such a case with the border drawn now there are other actors like Russia, China, and the US which are equally interested and much equipped to extract oil through offshore drilling. Hence until a legal framework or Arctic policy to regulate the experiments and explorations is established the Arctic will remain prone to similar conflicts.
Reference
Matt Murphy, “Whisky Wars: Denmark and Canada strike deal to end 50-year row over Arctic island,” BBC, 15 June 2022
Amanda Coletta, “Ukraine war brings peace — between Canada and Denmark,” The Washington Post, 14 June 2022
Peter Beaumont, “Canada and Denmark end decades-long dispute over barren rock in Arctic,” The Guardian, 14 June 2022
Ian Austen, “Canada and Denmark End Their Arctic Whisky War,” The New York Times, 14 June 2022
War in Ukraine: Day 113
By Rishma Banerjee
War on the Ground
On 16 June, the governor of the Luhansk region, Serhiy Gaidai, said that an air strike hit a sanatorium building in Lysychansk. Reuters reported that four people were killed and seven were injured due to the airstrike. Gaidai said that the rescue operation is still underway. He also spoke to CNN about the situation at the Azot chemical plant. 568 people, including 38 children were still stuck there without any option of evacuation. The local governor of Sumy, Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, also reported casualties due to a rocket strike in a suburb in Sumy. He said that four civilians were killed and six have been injured due to the strike. Zhyvytskyi also said that another rocket had struck the Dobropillia district, along the Russian border and 26 mortar rounds fired from across the border.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his request for more heavy weapon to combat the increased offensive by Russia in the east. He said: “"Every day of delay or postponed decisions is an opportunity for the Russian military to kill Ukrainians or destroy our cities… There is a direct correlation: the more powerful weapons we receive, the faster we can liberate our people, our land."
The head of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, Leonid Pasechnik said that the Russian and separatist forces had entered the Azot chemical plant in Sievierodonetsk. However, they had been unsuccessful in dislodging Ukraine’s fighters from their positions. Interfax reported that the separatists were considering reopening the humanitarian corridor for civilians at the plant.
The Moscow View:
Claims by Russia
On 16 June, US-based satellite imagery company, “Maxar” said that Russia has been transporting Ukraine’s grains to Syria. Initial pictures showed carrier ships with Russia’s flags docked at Sevastopol port in Crimea. These ships were then photographed in Syria, with their hatches open and semi-trucks lined up to take the grains away.
Gazprom chief Alexei Miller, spoke about limiting the amount of gas to Germany, and said: “Our product, our rules.” Gazprom has halved their previous rate of supply for Germany to 70m cubic metres per day. In a panel discussion at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Miller said that they will not adhere to rules that are not created by them.
The head of the National Defense Control Center, Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev alleged that the West is using their strategy for Syria in Ukraine too. He said that the US and its allies had supported and armed ideologically radical terrorists in Syria to challenge the undesired government. Mizintsev said that they are following a similar strategy by introducing neo-nationalist ideology to Ukraine’s society.
On 17 June, Russia’s aviation authorities extended their suspension of some flights from southern Russia for the 19th time. The Federal Air Transport Agency, or Rosaviatsiya had banned the flights at 11 airports on 24 February.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 16 June, Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz, France’s president Emmanuel Macron and Italy’s prime minister Mario Draghi visited Kyiv and met president Zelenskyy. This was the first time they have been to Ukraine since the war started. This visit comes ahead of the deliberations regarding Ukraine’s EU membership. The leaders gave a signal that they would support an EU candidate status for Ukraine. The three European heads of state were joined by Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis.
Emmanuel Macron also gave an interview as a part of this visit to Kyiv. When asked about the territorial concession that Ukraine might have to make, he said that it was a decision only Ukraine can take unilaterally. He, however, said that according to his values and international law, he would support Ukraine, whatever decision is taken.
The UK is also looking toward further collaboration with Ukraine regarding rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure. The UK will host representatives and business leaders from Ukraine on 17 June to discuss how some companies in the UK can assist Ukraine with infrastructure, energy, and transport.
On 16 June, the defence minister of Slovakia Jaroslav Nad tweeted about their recent support of Ukraine. He said that Slovakia has sent four M1-17 and one Mi-2 helicopter along with thousands of Grad multiple-rocket launcher rockets to Ukraine.
On the same day, Lithuania’s parliament called for the criminal prosecution of Russia's leadership, for their actions in Ukraine. The motion does not specify which authority should carry out the prosecution. However, it says that “Russian leaders, other high-ranking organizers of the crimes, direct perpetrators of the hostilities and the civilian deportations” should be prosecuted.
IN BRIEF
By Emmanuel Royan
FRANCE
McDonald's operations in Paris to pay a big settlement to end tax probe
On 16 June, the national financial prosecutor's office announced that the US-based fast-food chain McDonald's in France has to pay a settlement of EUR 1.25 billion to avoid a tax evasion probe. McDonald's food chain operations in France have been accused of intentionally lowering profits by sending license fees to its Luxembourg-based parent company in order to lower its tax burden. In 2016, prosecutors launched an official preliminary investigation after union leaders accused the corporation of concealing tax fraud. The corporation was accused of scamming the state of EUR 75 million every year. Mcdonald's stated that the present agreement ends the case and tax robe without accepting the fault. (“France: McDonald's to pay out over a billion to settle tax fraud case,” Deutsche Welle, 16 June 2022)
ITALY
First case of medically assisted suicide approved
On 16 June, after a long legal battle a 44-year-old paralyzed man was put to death by medical assistance. Luca Coscioni Association, a pro-euthanasia advocacy group assisted the man identified as Federico Carboni in presenting his case to courts and health officials. The Supreme Court of Italy paved the way for assisted suicide in particular cases in 2019. The Roman Catholic Church and conservative political parties have been vocal in their opposition to the issue. In order to be eligible for assisted suicide, the court defined a set of criteria that must be satisfied. For example, it must be apparent that a patient cannot be healed, is reliant on life-sustaining measures, and is suffering from "intolerable" physical and emotional anguish. A patient must also be capable of making their own decisions and comprehending the repercussions of such actions. Carboni got approval from an ethics committee in November, 2021. He was the country's first to receive legal approval for euthanasia. (“Italy: Man undergoes first legally approved assisted suicide,” Deutsche Welle,16 June 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
President of Germany visits Singapore, amid food shortage
On 15 June, the president of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Singapore to promote free trade and open borders amid the food shortages. Steinmeier stated that globalization has stalled and supply chains are being disrupted worldwide because of the war in Ukraine. He emphasized on the preservation of international law and secure investment conditions to the president of Singapore, Halima Yacob. Malaysia’s ban on poultry exports has made the people realize their vulnerability, therefore the country has decided to reduce its food dependencies by investing in vertical farming. Steinmeier will also be visiting a sustainable shrimp farm in Singapore, vertical farming is the only option for them as they do not possess any agricultural lands. ( Katharina Kroll, “German president visits Singapore as food shortages bite,” Deutsche Welle, 15 June 202)
ENVIRONMENT
The government called to fast phase the measures taken to control air pollution in the UK
On 17 June, the National Audit Office (NAO) in a report stated that the government has made progress but is not on a fast pace to reduce air pollution and has also failed to actively inform the public about the issue. According to the report, air pollution is unevenly distributed across the country with low-income and ethnically diverse communities being disproportionately affected. The report raises concern about the level of nitrogen dioxide released by vehicles in the air. NAO concluded that the present measures are not effective to achieve its 2030 ceiling limits and has to set new long-term limits for particulate pollutants. (“Government set to miss air pollution goals - report,” BBC, 17 June 2022)
ENERGY
Energy poverty levels surge disproportionately in the UK
On 16 June, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) estimated 29 per cent of households in Ireland are experiencing energy poverty. Energy poverty is defined as when households spend more than ten per cent of their net income on energy. Co-author of the study Dr Barra Roantree suggested the government direct its support through welfare measures and fuel allowances. ESRI also expected an average increase in energy costs of EUR 37 per week by the winter. (“Ireland dealing with record energy poverty levels, report finds,” BBC, 17 June 2022)
Latest report on renewable energy consumption released by REN21
On 16 June, the Renewables 2022 Global Status Report published by REN21 states that the contribution of wind and solar energy in the global energy mix has increased minimally in the last decade. REN21 is an international think tank and multistakeholder governance group on renewable energy policy. Their 17th annual status report was drafted by over 600 experts to provide a glimpse of developments in the renewable energy sector. According to the analysis, the move to renewables has essentially come to a halt. Coal, oil, and gas continue to account for the majority of global energy use. (Matt McGrath, “Climate change: Green energy 'stagnates' as fossil fuels dominate,” BBC, 16 June 2022