NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE
In the cacophony of abuse about ‘daring’ to challenge the title of the Lt. Governor or the suggestion that the IOM Constabulary should have more of a Manx identity, another resolution at this years Mec Vannin AGM was overlooked.
The resolution called for a more vigorous stance to be taken by the Manx Government with the UK over territorial limits and sea-bed mineral rights.
This wording said:
“This AGM:
Urges the current Manx government to confront the United Kingdom over its long standing abuse of the Isle of Man and its people in relation to respecting our rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) regarding seabed and territorial limits.
Calls for the government to invoke the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to achieve a median territorial and seabed limit with all neighbouring jurisdictions.”
In terminology it paralleled a similar call made at the Celtic League AGM in Dublin in April (once again moved by Manx delegates).
Today, coincidentally, Manx radio stations Energy FM & 3FM carried a story about the possible value of undeveloped offshore gas deposits in Manx waters. Quoting the Islands Department of Economic Development it says that ‘Gas deposits in Manx waters have the potential to add to the Island’s economy’.
It strikes us there would be even more ‘potential’ if the Manx government summoned up the courage to stand up to the UK .
For a start if UNCLOS principle on median was applied a fair amount of what is currently being extracted from the western edge of the North Morecambe basin gas field would be within Manx seabed limits. Have DED Minister Laurence Skelly and his COMIN colleagues got the courage to face-off with the UK? We doubt it!
J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League
05/06/15
(Please note that replies to correspondence received by the League and posted on CL News are usually scanned hard copies. Obviously every effort is made to ensure the scanning process is accurate but sometimes errors do occur.)
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