New maritime limits controversy

[NewsWhore]

Armed Forces Minister, Rear Admiral Hector Lizardo Jorge has warned that the legislative initiative calling for an extension of the nation's territorial waters to twelve miles would create a series of difficulties with several nations. According to the Admiral, while the twelve-mile limit is common in many countries, such a position could cause irritation for the Dominican Republic. One of the Caicos Islands would fall within Dominican jurisdiction, and the United States, the United Kingdom, Haiti, Venezuela and Colombia would also become involved. The project's author, deputy Pelegrin Castillo, dismissed any idea that such a territorial extension would cause problems. One of the Admiral's points was that since both the Silver Banks and the Navidad Banks are within Dominican territorial waters, a 12-mile extension would cause the Turks and Caicos Islands to fall within Dominican territory. Castillo said that while it is true that limits with Haiti, the Netherlands, the United States, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom do need to be set, the limits with Colombia and Venezuela have been settled since 1978 and 1979.

More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#7)