Yesterday, Japan withdrew its ambassador to Russia in protest over a reignited territorial dispute concerning the sparsely inhabited, oil-rich Kuril Islands. The issue was brought to life with Russian President Medvedev’s visit to the islands last week, during which he promised the local people modernization and praised the southern-most island as one of Russia’s “beautiful places.”
The Kuril Islands (called the Northern Territories by Japan) are a chain of four islands stretching from just North of Japan to the Southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula, part of Russia. Originally the islands belonged to Japan, but they were seized by Soviet forces at the end of World War II – forces who then deported the Japanese citizens on the islands, and brought in Russian settlers. Since that time, no conclusion has been reached about the true ownership of the islands. Several times in the past Russia offered to make a treaty with Japan, splitting the islands evenly between the two countries, but Japan remained intent on regaining the entire archipelago.
President Medvedev is the first Russian leader to visit the islands. For a tourist, they present little attraction; however, the surrounding waters have been found to be rich in fish and potential oil fields (not to mention handy travel routes for trade vessels). Russia has promised to invest in the development of the islands, just as Medvedev has promised to return to them soon. It is characteristic of Medvedev to act somewhat aggressively in the face of territorial disputes. His move, therefore, is seen more as a domestic measure – showing commitment to holding on to territories and bringing all of Russia’s various regions into the future – than as an international clash.
The Kuril Islands (called the Northern Territories by Japan) are a chain of four islands stretching from just North of Japan to the Southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula, part of Russia. Originally the islands belonged to Japan, but they were seized by Soviet forces at the end of World War II – forces who then deported the Japanese citizens on the islands, and brought in Russian settlers. Since that time, no conclusion has been reached about the true ownership of the islands. Several times in the past Russia offered to make a treaty with Japan, splitting the islands evenly between the two countries, but Japan remained intent on regaining the entire archipelago.
President Medvedev is the first Russian leader to visit the islands. For a tourist, they present little attraction; however, the surrounding waters have been found to be rich in fish and potential oil fields (not to mention handy travel routes for trade vessels). Russia has promised to invest in the development of the islands, just as Medvedev has promised to return to them soon. It is characteristic of Medvedev to act somewhat aggressively in the face of territorial disputes. His move, therefore, is seen more as a domestic measure – showing commitment to holding on to territories and bringing all of Russia’s various regions into the future – than as an international clash.
From the New York Times:
From the Moscow Times:
Analysis of the conflict, by the BBC:
Due to the domestic angle, it sounds like Medvedev's attention is really a good thing. It's nice to see that Russia is really concerned about it's citizens (even if only because they live on oil fields)
ReplyDeleteNice choice of issue to discuss!
Thanks! Although I must admit that much of the concern shown by the Russian government may be more about the upcoming elections than about the actual living conditions of the people. To be fair, though, there are many lonely regions in Russia worthy of attention, so the government definitely has its work cut out for it. (Just recently, for example, a measure was passed to give federal funds to regional healthcare programs, because so many hospitals in Russia haven't got access to proper equipment - not to mention clean water.)
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