IS A RUSSIA TO THE U.S. TUNNEL UNDER THE BERING STRAIT A GOOD IDEA? [+] serious ballot by cranky ACTIVE Mon Apr 23, 07 - Sat Jan 16, 10 CALGARY - Russia yesterday revived a plan to transport oil, natural gas and electricity to the United States via a tunnel under the Bering Strait from Siberia to Alaska, a colossal project that was quickly panned for its questionable economics and business logic and its impact on U.S. energy security. Yesterday morning in Moscow, Viktor Razbegin, deputy head of industrial research at the Russian Economy Ministry, told reporters that state organizations in partnership with private companies would build and manage the energy corridor, known as TKM-World Link. The 6,000-kilometre corridor from Siberia into the United States includes a 100-kilometre tunnel under the Bering Strait. It will be more than twice as long as the underwater section of the Channel Tunnel between the U.K. and France. The undersea tunnel would contain a highspeed railway, highway and pipelines, as well as power and fiberoptic cables. According to a Bloomberg News report, proponents will meet with Canadian and U.S. government officials for a formal presentation next week. Considering the project's questionable business sense, some critics wondered if Russia has ulterior motives in proposing such a grandiose plan. In Europe, there is heightened anxiety over its dependence on Russian natural gas, which many fear could be used to further the Kremlin's international political agenda. Canadian lawyer Robert Amsterdam, who defended jailed Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, said Russia is notorious for floating big plans to curry favour from foreign governments and companies but that go nowhere. "God forbid our politicians take it seriously," Mr. Amsterdam said. "When I keep telling people that Russia uses energy as a weapon, these mega-project prognostications, now I can say quite frankly, 'Follow the Shtokman theme.' They lead countries by the nose; countries literally change their foreign policy so as not to confront the Russians based on these carrots, and then end up more often than not with nothing." (Financial Post) * * * * * * * * Given Russia's history of using trade as a weapon, do you think a direct oil pipeline between Russia and U.S., that would inevitably increase America's dependence on Russian oil, would be a good thing? Yes No I'm Not Sure - or get over your Oil Addiction.. Ballot #114218 : SEE RESULTS Comment: show your vote with comment?

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