Dear Mr. Mozzato Krukoski:
Perhaps the most dramatic manifestation of the loxodromic (Rhumb line)-geodesic (Great Circle
Arc) problem is the Russia-U.S. maritime boundary in the Bering Sea. Not only does the
difference become more dramatic as one approaches the polar extremities, but the very length
of the line, some 1600 nm, resulted in a disparity of some 71,580 sq. km. As both States
extended their exclusive economic zones out to 200 nm in accordance with UNCLOS and concerns
over possible oil reserves and fishing stocks mounted in the 1980s, they were compelled to
resolve their differences in interpreting the 1867 Convention Line. The discussions
culminated in a 'split the difference' line established in the so-called "Baker-Shevardnadze"
treaty of 1990. The US Congress ratified the treaty, but the newly-formed Russian Government
did not and the issue today is being reconsidered by some Russian parliamentarians.
It is therefore critical that current maritime treaty negotiators understand and specify the
type of line being drawn in treaty documents. As our Australian colleague has indicated,
geodesics -- in this world of GIS -- are far more rational.
Respectfully,
Ray Milefsky
Office of the Geographer and Global Issues
U.S. Department of State
wrmkkk wrote:
> - Dear Inter-Boundaries Members.
> - In Brazil we have stabilazed our "Lateral Maritime" (line between adjacent neighbouring
> States) by documents that states these lines as "Loxodromics".
> - See in:
> www.info.lncc.br/wrmkkk/gtt1981.html (with French Guiana)
> www.info.lncc.br/wrmkkk/ulatmard.html (with Uruguay)
> (sorry they are in portuguese)
> - Those were donne at a time, when was ease to use a route followind a constant bearing.
> - But nowdays, we have GPS, and would be more ease to state these lines as a "Geodesic
> Line"; with a starting point and a starting azimuth.
> - I wonder how are difined these lines in differen countries.
> - Tegards,
> ================================================
> Wilson Ruy Mozzato Krukoski
> ================================================
> Segunda Comissao Brasileira Demarcadora de Limites
> Ministerio das Relacoes Exteriores
> ================================================
> Av.Mal.Floriano 194-Pal.Itamaraty | Tel/Fax (21) 2263-9521
> Cep 20080-002-R. Janeiro - Brasil | [log in to unmask]
> ======== http://www.info.lncc.br/wrmkkk ==============
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