British journalist Rosie Millard and her family are currently touring France’s overseas territories starting with Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. You will find below a number of links to various blogs and sites. Enjoy this original look at our islands.

Official site: www.rosiemillard.com
Rosie Millard’s blog: rosie-millard.co.uk
More:  videos and more …

A new law (Article 58, 2009-594) was recently passed by France’s parliament to ease requirements for marriage between non-citizens on French soil. Read more at www.spm.org

The White Bird (L’Oiseau Blanc or The White Dove) was a French biplane which disappeared in 1927, during an attempt to make the first non-stop transatlantic flight between Paris and New York. The aircraft was flown by French aviation World War I heroes Charles Nungesser and François Coli, who were attempting to win the USD $25,000 Orteig Prize for the flight, but the plane disappeared after its May 8 takeoff from Paris. Two weeks later, Charles Lindbergh successfully made the New York–Paris journey and claimed the prize, flying The Spirit of St. Louis. - Source: Wikipedia

An expedition is currently in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon searching for the remnants of the White Bird.

Peter Mansbridge, of the National, reported on the Continental Shelf issue South of the islands of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon in a misleading and inflammatory manner (May 12, 2009 : 19:00 to 19:34). Using incorrect graphics, the newscaster displayed a complete lack of objectivity by qualifying the French claim as a “threat”. Such inflammatory rhetoric has no other purpose but to stir public opinion against the islands and France. Lire la suite …

Britain’s top economic and political magazine has just published an article about Saint-Pierre and Miquelon’s claim to the continental shelf.

Without the shadow of a doubt, the Economist invalidates Canada’s claim the issue was settled in 1992: “It (Canada) said, wrongly, that the matter had been settled by arbitration in 1992 and that it would – take all necessary measures to defend and protect its rights. – (Canada has until 2013 to file its claim.) In fact the 1992 decision fixed the maritime boundaries between Canada and the islands, and did not demarcate the continental shelf.”

Source: The Economist, May 7th 2009

Editorial. Having read the myriad of comments posted on various news websites, many have been shocked and dismayed by the hostile and aggressive nature of these postings. To all those advocating a “Canadian Anschluss” of the islands of St Pierre and Miquelon, or a more passive “absorption” of the islands into the canadian realm, may we suggest they do some reading on the concept of cultural genocide : the deliberate destruction of the cultural heritage of a people or nation for political, military (…) reasons.

We would also like to remind our readers that asking SPM to “join Canada” is as offensive to locals as asking Canadians to just give up on being who they are and just “join the USA”. It’s not just about borders, it’s about culture, language, heritage and history.

More news about the UNCLOS claim to be formulated by France on behalf of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon in the next few days.

• French seabed bid necessary for St-Pierre survival, residents insist
• French claim on seabed invalid, PM tells Williams

Wired.com blogger Keith Barry posted an excellent article about French cars in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.

“Sixteen miles off the coast of Newfoundland and just 800 miles from Boston lie the tiny islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, the last vestiges of the colonial empire of New France. Though these islands are 3,000 miles from Paris, they’re French in every way. Residents celebrate Bastille Day, vote in French elections and pay for everything in Euros.

And, of course, drive French cars.” Read the rest of his entry at blog.wired.com

1. Why are these islands not part of Canada?
2. Canada “saved” France in two World Wars, why should let France and Saint-Pierre et Miquelon gain access to the continental shelf?
3. The islands are surrounded by Canadian waters. Why should they gain access to the continental shelf?
4. The 1992 arbitration was final, why is Saint-Pierre et Miquelon and France making new claims?
5. Wasn’t the 1992 arbitration fair enough?
6. Isn’t this really about natural resources?

Lire la suite …

Noted News Items

• St-Pierre-Miquelon pushing France to make seabed claim - Evening Telegram
• Canada to fight French claim to sea shelf: minister AFP - 1 hour ago - The French government faced intense pressure from the economically marginalized citizens of the French islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon to stake a claim …
• France renews claim to Atlantic seabed rights CTV.ca
• Canada slams French bid for Atlantic shelf rights Reuters UK
• Canada objects to France’s claim on coastal waters Vancouver Sun

Lire la suite …