Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Monday passed House Joint Resolution 27, which requests that Congress rescind the 1990 boundary treaty concerning the maritime boundaries among the United States, Canada, and Russia.

"This resolution will, hopefully, encourage the federal government to begin a new dialogue with Canada and Russia over the disputed maritime borders among the three nations and to assure that Alaska is sitting at the negotiating table," said Representative John Coghill (R-North Pole), sponsor of HJR 27. "I believe we must do everything we can to ensure that any negotiations include the participation of representatives from Alaska."

The United States and the Soviet Union signed a proposed treaty in 1990. Alaska was not part of the negotiations. The USSR never ratified the treaty, nor has the present day Russian Federation.

"At stake are eight islands, the largest of which - Wrangell Island - is equal in size to Delaware and Rhode Island combined," said Coghill. "Perhaps more important than the land area, however, is the hundreds of thousands of square miles of ocean resources, including fishing areas, which possession of these islands conveys to their owners."

HJR 27 passed the House 31-5 and now moves to the Senate.

Broadcasters note: Audio comments are available on the Majority Actuality line, 1-800-478-6540
= John Coghill, Jr., 95 K