Russia remains on Shpitsbergen

Russian presence on Shpitsbergen.

In February 1920, during the Versailles Peace Conference was signed the Treaty of Paris on Svalbard. Spitsbergen Square (islands and adjacent waters in the Barents Sea) was to be provided free economy, scientific and other peaceful activities of all the states - participants of this agreement. Now Spitsbergen in total permanent population of about 2700 people, 400 of which – are Russian citizens working in the mines of the public trust "Arktikugol".

December 31, 1997, Russian President B.N.Yeltsin signed a decree "On the Concept of Russian policy on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard." Pursuant to this decree Russian Economic Development Ministry has developed a comprehensive program to optimize and improve of the effectiveness of Russian organizations in the archipelago, whose main objective was to provide in the archipelago state interests of the Russian Federation on the basis of preserving and strengthening a permanent Russian presence .

In January 2001, referred to the concept of Russian policy on Svalbard has been amended, which approved the new Russian President Vladimir Putin. But the concept, and its amendments have not yet been published in the popular press, and their specific content is an almost unknown, not only a wide range of citizens, but many experts in the study of the Arctic.

Questions of Russian presence on Svalbard were discussed in February 2003 in Murmansk on the meeting of the Federation Council of the North and minorities. Discussion showed that the Russian presence in the archipelago is weakening.

Coordination of the economic and scientific activities of Russian companies in the archipel- ago of the inter-institutional committee to ensure the preservation of Russian interests, production and the research activities on Svalbard. In 2004, this commission was abolished.

The presence of any state in Svalbard is critically determined by the fact that it is the economic activity there. Active farms in the archipelago only Norway and Russia. The main economic actors Russians on Svalbard were and still trust "Arktikugol." December 17, 2004 Board of Accounting Chamber of the Russian Federation made a decision № 43 (413) "'On the results of the audit of the financial condition and use of the federal budget allocated to the Federal State Unitary Enterprise" National Trust "Arktikugol" in 2002-2004 (the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard). "It was given a sharp evaluation of its activities. The proposals, which concludes with the decision was, in particular, reads: "Send the submission to the Government of the Russian Federation, in which he noted that in the years 2002-2004:

• -    Performance of the FSUE "Arktikugol" declined sharply and tend to further deterioration;

• -    The current management structure of the Russian organizations on Svalbard is inadequate and does not allow efficient use of the budget means, and the means of marketing products and services. Interdepartmental Commission for the conservation of Russian interests, industrial and scientific activity in the archipelago of Svalbard, to coordinate the work of Russian organizations, abolished;

• -    The real work is associated with alternative activities on Svalbard, including the exploration for oil and gas, the use of biological resources in the coastal areas, tourism and others, as stipulated in the concept of Svalbard (1997), is not implemented, including those not infrastructure is used effectively preserved cast of a village at the mine "Pyramid";

• -    Only mine is mine "Barentsburg" extracting coal from one longwall due to the finalization of the coal may cease production until 2010. However, the construction of new and reactivation of old mine "Grumant" almost not made.

Offer, given the geostrategic importance of Svalbard to the Russian Federation to consider at a government meeting set of issues related to the activities of FSUE "GT" Arktikugol "Archipela-go"1.

Since then, the issues of ensuring and strengthening of the Russian presence on Svalbard repeatedly discussed at the highest level. However, the main directions of the Russian activity in the archipelago as a whole did not change. Not changed and the main approaches to implementation and implementation techniques. But if the theory it was relatively clear and stable, in the practical implementation of the Russian policy on Svalbard is not everything went smoothly.

Due to the fact that Svalbard is an area of the special national interests of the Russian Federation, in order to ensure the Russian presence on the archipelago government decree on April 10, 2007 № 216 is formed by the Governmental Commission of the Russian presence on Svalbard, headed by Deputy Prime Minister of Russia S.E. Naryshkin. Government commission meets once every six months, not counting the special meetings.

The main tasks of the commission:

«а) To develop a common strategy for the Russian presence on Svalbard;

• b)    Ensure effective communication and coordination of the activities of the federal executive authorities in the implementation of the State policy on Svalbard;

• c)    Preparation of proposals on the activities of Russian companies on Svalbard, including requiring the decision of the President of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Russian Federation»².

July 19, 2007 the commission of the Federation Council of the North and minorities considered "The presence of the Russian Federation on Svalbard: political, legal, economic and humanitarian aspects." The decision of the committee, prepared with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Environment, the Navy command, FSUE "Arcticugol", analyzes the situation and wide list of recommendations on what needs to be done to ensure the national interests of Russia and the presence on Svalbard.

The Assistant of the Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the RF V.P. Artamonov said, "Then, it was recognized that the basis of the Russian presence on Svalbard have been and remain an economic and scientific activity. It was therefore recommended that the Government of the Russian Federation:

take the necessary steps for the development of the economic activity on Svalbard, including by increasing coal production and to achieve its profitability;

develop alternative economic activities, including the processing of harvested marine resources and tourism development;

Together with the Russian Academy of Sciences set the agenda for the research and the development of the scientific institutions on Svalbard;

Develop and approve a long-term federal target program for the preservation and strengthening of Russian presence on Svalbard;

Then there was a clear need for the action of the foreign character of to preserve the Spitsbergen Treaty of 1920 and upholding the rights of the Russian Federation to engage in the economic activity not only in the archipelago and its territorial waters, but the 200-mile zone around Svalbard "3.

In July 2007, a government commission headed by S.E. Naryshkin visited Spitsbergen. On the norwegian territory, the Deputy Prime defiantly held out session of the Russian governmental committee on the Russian presence on Svalbard. Norwegians, it is proposed to evacuate Russian specialists had demonstrated an increase budgetary allocations to the Russian coal mining, which is gradually replaced with fish processing, tourism and research activities. Vice Premier S.E. Naryshkin explained the purpose of his visit only geopolitical reasons: "Svalbard for us - a strategic point that allows us to be present in the western Arctic. Under the contract, we have to lead this economic activity. With funding from the state in infrastructure, we would like to find activities that would provide themselves "4.

As a result of this trip S.E. Naryshkin was able to attract the attention of the Norwegian authorities to the Russian presence on Svalbard.

April 8, 2009 in a round table on the topic "The national interests of the Russian Federation on Svalbard." Committee of the Federation Council's International Affairs Committee, invited to a discussion of parliamentarians, representatives of the ministries and departments, scientific organizations. The meeting was Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council, M.E. Nikolaev. In his opening remarks, he reminded participants that the round table "The national interests of the Russian Federation on Svalbard" is held after determining the state policy in the Arctic.

Member of the Federation Council Committee on the International Affairs V. Malkin described the situation: "The Russian presence on Svalbard must be identified, while the same can not see it." Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on the Northern Affairs and Indigenous People, G.D. Olga, Nick stated, "... as long as Russia was active in the economic activity on Svalbard, questions about our presence there did not arise. They began with the sharp decline in economic activity in our country, with the active capacity Norwegian presence. The world does not tolerate a vacuum - if someone leaves, it's always someone takes place, and not always the one who would like to see ... <...> ... Svalbard would really develop fishing and seafood processing, scientific activities and tourism, but it requires a very sequenced"5.

In July 2009, the Accounting Chamber, chaired by S. Stepashin examined the effectiveness of the use of the federal budget funds allocated for 2006-2008 FSUE "State Trust" Arcticugol "presentation and execution of the Accounts Chamber of the examination in 2004. "As demonstrated by check, federal funds provided in 2006-2008 to fund the activities of the trust and the Russian organizations in Spitsbergen in the amount of 2.17 billion rubles, used inefficiently. <...> ... In the audited period was no comprehensive program to optimize and improve the effectiveness of Russian organizations in Spitsbergen, which determines the main directions of spending. Expenses incurred in 2007-2008, focused on the solutions to emerging current issues related mainly to the maintenance, not the strengthening and development of existing Russian presence on the archipelago"6.

In December 2011, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister Victor Zubkov at the meeting of the government committee on the Russian presence on Svalbard. Commission endorsed the strategy of Russian presence on Svalbard 2020 (this project was prepared and submitted to the Russian government for the consideration in 2008.) The document analyzes the specifics and the main components of the Russian presence in the archipelago. The strategy is aimed at ensuring Russia's interests in Svalbard through optimization, efficiency and diversification of economic activities through the development of polar tourism and processing the catch. The basic directions of the strategy: foreign policy and international law support the Russian presence on Svalbard that improving governance and business entities in the archipelago, quality of life, social security protection and safety of their workers, economic development, life-support systems. For each area stated key objectives and mechanisms for their implementation. Overall coordination and control of the joint work provides the Governmental Commission for Russian presence on Svalbard.

The members of the commission noticed the strategic importance of the Arktikugol. There was a positive trend in the development of Russian tourism, preserving of the ecology of the national and international scientific research, infrastructure renewal Arktikugol the archipelago. To improve the efficiency of work of Russian companies in the archipelago was necessary to ensure an adequate level of funding. "It is important for the optimal parameters of budget financing of Russian organizations in Svalbard, - V. Zubkov. - To solve this problem it is necessary to develop public-private partnerships and the expansion of Russian activity on Svalbard "7. Pointed on the protracted nature of the implementation of the decisions of the Committee on the Transportation, to improve the quality of the health services, the construction of fisheries. Construction of the fish factory and research center has been named as a priority.

It should be noted, that such thoughts were expressed in 2009 at the round table "The national interests of the Russian Federation on Svalbard." Then G.D. Oleinik focused on the state support of the working on Svalbards organizations and citizens. "You can refer again to the example of Norway. Working in the northern areas of the country of the economic entities and citizens has significant tax benefits. Moreover, these benefits are differentiated according to the climatic conditions. Naturally, they are the maximum on Spitsbergen. The size of these benefits is such that the ability to live in these areas is economically advantageous. Unfortunately, in many of the northern territories of Russia, even economically developed the northern warranty and payment is currently not fully compensated, compared to the rest of the country, the cost of human life"8.

What are the perspectives of the realizations of the noticed directions?

Coal mining. The basis of the economic activities of Russia in Svalbard in the coming years continues to be the coal mining. But the perspectives of the growth in the Russian coal mining are very problematic. Creation of the protected areas on land and Tundra Grumant Bogemana shall limit use of the part of the owner of these sites - trust "Arktikugol" contrary to Article 7 of the Treaty of Paris. Now all the mines, except one, are conserved in Barentsburg. As the information agency "TV-21", the miners, mostly Ukrainian citizens have to annually produce at least 120 tons of coal, of which 40 tons of leaves on their own needs. But produce less, they can not: it requires the safety of the mine. Norway has repeatedly offered Russia turn unprofitable production and evacuates specialists. According to the Russian consul in Svalbard Vyacheslav Nikolayev, "in 1993 we have not once had to fend off such proposals"9. About the difficult situation with coal mining G.D. Oleinik said, "It is not profitable in recent years, and now the situation is even worse in the mine fire last year and a sharp drop in coal prices. And yet, in our view, to abandon coal mining on the island in any case can not be - it's the only significant form of the economic activity. We know that there is the development of the mining projects in the future. It is clear that they are expen- sive. But the state has the potential to attract private businesses to implement, may not be as cost-effective, but much-needed state projects"10.

Fish processing. The already-mentioned round table in in 2009, G.D. Oleinik expressed doubts about the reality of the near-term plans for the development activities in Svalbard in the fish processing. "For years, the possibility of the building on Svalbard of the fish processing plant, but doubt its potential profitability, or, more precisely, is unprofitable. Ros fishing said that the decision to build the company accepted. But, nevertheless, I would like to hear, but as will be addressed economic issues of the project? Would not that construct the plant, fishermen will have to pass the catch and export products will be no one or no place, or the cost will be too heavy for the population? Thought if these questions?¹¹

In early 2009, the head of the Federal Agency for Fishery A. Krainoy said that in Barentsburg is about to begin the construction of the fish-processing factory. He said: "With the advent of the Russian factory fishing vessels will be more convenient to take the fish. After passage of the fishing area to Barentsburg only takes an hour ... <...> ... will build factories Norwegian experts, because this state is very strict environmental laws. Norwegians themselves easier to precisely comply with these laws. The appearance of the factory will help solve the issues of employment of the Russian population in Barentsburg ... <...> ... Design object will be completed in 2009 12 .

But in July 2009 at the meeting of the Accounting Chamber noted that "in the absence of the coordination between the agencies is responsible for the development of alternative activities on Svalbard, in 2005-2006, out of the federal budget allocated to the enterprise in the development of the project documentation for the construction of a fish processing complex in the settlement of Barentsburg on Svalbard in the interests of the FSUE "National Fish Resources", without achieving the desired result has been spent 1.8 million rubles. The draft of the end of 2006 was a negative opinion Glavgo expertise Russia. The main observation is non-compliance of sanitary regulations, the lack of treatment facilities, as well as approvals from the Norwegian side. For two years, not to take action to remove the comments and make proposals on the possible use of the project. At the same time, in 2009 the Federal Program "World Ocean", subprogram "Development and use of the Arctic" will be allocated Ros fishing of about 5 million rubles for the develop-

ment of the project documentation for the construction of a fish processing plant in the town of Barentsburg"13.

In December 2009, the order of Rosfishing FSUE "National fish resource", as reported by RIA Fishnews.ru, was "transferred a number of powers of the state customer "capital investment "in the village of Barentsburg, Svalbard under the state contract between PAR and JSC" Giprorubchoz. "In particular, "National fish resource" is responsible for the monitoring on the design and working drawings, as well as to finance the building of the production complex for the processing of fish and other seafood harvested in the waters adjacent to the Svalbard archipelago in the village of Barentsburg. This object is included in the list of buildings and facilities of the federal government use. At FSUE also charged with the verification of the information contained in the documents presented by contractors for work performed, record-keeping and control of budget spending in line with the technological structure of the capital investments"14.

At that time (in December 2009) was "approved by the state order for the execution in 2010, the research and the development activities under the Federal Program" World Ocean "subprogram" Development and the use of the Arctic "for activity" Development of the proposals for the development of the fishing industry on Svalbard "on" Perspectives of the aquatic marine waters of Svalbard as an additional resource for the local fishing "at the only performer for the needs Ros fishing"15. Thus, the establishment of the fish processing facilities in the archipelago begins to approach the phase of the practical implementation.

Fishing. One of the serious problems that complicate Russian-Norwegian relations is the fish catch in the area of Spitsbergen square. This fishery is regulated by a special agreement between Norway and Russia, within which the Intergovernmental Commission for Fisheries (SRNC). In 1982, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea has allowed coastal states to exercise sovereign rights over the continental shelf "for its exploration and the development of natural resources." However, Norway is understood that Svalbard has a special status, so the introduction of the EEZ around the archipelago did not dare. Instead, the fishery conservation zone was established Svalbard, which is not subject to any treaty. The result was the situation, which generates constant conflicts.

SF appreciated the reasons of these conflicts: "There is a mutual understanding, that in contrast to the order in force in the Norwegian economic zone, checking of Russian ships in the Norwegian inspector’s of the fishery protection zone around Svalbard are not subject to arrest and are not required to sign the protocols of violations. However, information on violations referred for further investigation and action by the Russian side. The problem is that the Russian law Responsibility for poaching on the high seas, who, from a legal point of view, the fishery conservation zone of Spitsbergen. Therefore, the Norwegian access to the Russian authorities for the most part has no consequences for the perpetrators. After the privatization of the Russian fishing fleet significantly decreased discipline and responsibility of the captains, and many of them are directly stimulated by the owners to fish bio poaching methods and violation of quotas. In turn, the Norwegians, feeling slack after the collapse of the Soviet Union, began to tighten control in the Spitsbergen fishery protection zone and proceed to enforcement action against Russian ships "16.

N. Carelskaya analyzed that in the period from May 2010 to the present, the Norwegian Government has adopted 26 documents governing the conduct of the fishing activities in the areas of Norway - fishing (RPG) (zone defined around the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen is 200 miles away), fisheries protection (ROSE) (area established around Norway Svalbard away 200 miles) and exclusive economic (EEZ) (area established by Norway along the coast at a distance of 200 miles). For comparison, from February 2005 to April 2010 the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kingdom was approved only 12 of these regulations. On September 1, 2011 came into effect an order of prohibition of fishing with bottom fishing gear (trawl, seine and longline) at a depth of more than one thousand meters in the Norwegian EEZ and RPGs around Jan Mayen Svalbard and roses. The implementation of this type of fishing will be possible only after obtaining special permission of the Directorate and under strict conditions (including the availability of a detailed protocol gear, diary keeping and reporting, as well as the possible presence of an inspector on board17.

As noted in November 2010, the General Director of the Union of Fishermen of the North V.F. Nikitin, before the signing of the maritime delimitation in the Barents Sea, the Russian fishing fleet working in the fishery protection zone around Svalbard, guided by the telegram former deputy chairman of the State Fisheries Committee of the Russian Federation M. Dementieva of 2001. "It says that at the entrance to the zone Spitzbergen captains allowed to sign the popular Norwe- gian party assets and liabilities (the data that is on the board at the entrance to the Norwegian economic zone and exit. - VN). And also - acts conservation checks drawn Norwegian Bohras checking the Russian courts. <...> Have never information on assets and liabilities, working in the archipelago, we Norwegians were not given, considering that they did not install near Spitsbergen its fisheries protection zone, as evidenced by a note of protest to the Russian Foreign Ministry in 1997, directed towards Norway. Naturally, and acts of conservation audits, we also did not recognize and did not sign, though the Norwegians and arrested us.18.

Repeated incidents with Russian courts, which delayed the Norwegian Fisheries off the coast of Svalbard, is sufficient coverage in the Russian and Norwegian media. According to the materials held in Norway later trials, many arrests have been deemed illegal. But the money spent on the courts, lawyers, arrests, port charges by our side no one appreciated and has not returned. Naturally, was lost fishing. The greatest public and the international attention received two cases detention of the trawler "Elektron" in 2005 and "Sapphire 2" in 2011.

"Electron" was the second ship in Murmansk, the Norwegian Coast Guard detained the Svalbard area. Earlier, the Norwegian side for failure information about the size of the catch be fined 500 thousand NOK Russian vessel "Blizzard." But his captain considered illegal Norwegians claim and refused to pay the fine. Captain of the "electronic" do not comply Norwegian Coast Guard to follow the Norwegian port and went into Russian waters, despite the efforts of Norwegian warships to prevent it. As a result of the international scandal erupted captain "electronic" appeared before the Russian courts, though not for the charges demanded by the Norwegian side.

September 28, 2011 Norwegian Coast Guard ship "Nordkapp" made the capture of the Russian fishing vessel "Sapphire-2" in the open waters of the Barents Sea on suspicion of discards overboard. This time, Moscow's reaction followed quickly. Russian Foreign Ministry statement, Ambassador of Norway in the protest to Moscow K. Hauge stressed that "the Norwegian actions were unacceptable and provocative. This is the sixth case of detention in recent Russian ships in the so-called "fishery conservation zone" Svalbard. This practice is contrary to the existing political arrangements to maintain favorable conditions for Russian fishing after the entry into force of the Russian-Norwegian Treaty on Maritime Delimitation and Cooperation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean. Disturbed and the Treaty of Paris in 192019.

The head of the public relations of the center of Ros fishing A. Saveliev, referring to the White Sea-Berentsevo ter.management noted that surprise and some others claim of the Norwegian side. "There were cases where, for example, stated that the head of the fish were" not so "cut off ... <...> ... According to him, the total damage to the Russian fishermen of the Norwegian actions from 2008 to October 2011, exceeded 205 million rubles20».At the 39th session of the SRNC in 2011, the Russian side raised the issue of the Russian fishery zone around Svalbard, expressing surprise at the Norwegian claims against our fishermen. What head of the Norwegian delegation said that the "question - not in the competence of SRNC, and should be resolved at the level of foreign ministers of the two countries"21.

So, clearly revealed the inconsistency of the problem of Russian and Norwegian legislation on rules of the fishing in the area of Spitsbergen square. As the head of the Barents and White Sea Territorial Administration of Ros. Fishing N. Balashov, "the problem of the international conflicts related to the detention of Russian fishing vessels by the Norwegian coast guard in the Svalbard area, will be addressed through changes in federal legislation"22.

But the vice-president of the Russian Association of the fishery enterprises, entrepreneurs and exporters (VARPE), chairman of the workers' fish farms V.K. Zilanov takes a different position: "Norwegians are based on the fact that they announced a 200-mile fisheries protection zone around Svalbard but they are well aware that the Russian Federation does not recognize that the 200-mile zone of Norway. Norway should therefore agree with Russia on these issues, and not apply the gendarmerie measures - to arrest and fine unilaterally. <...> We are fishermen, not against Norway to inspect our vessels. But if they found a violation, why is engaged in Norwegian court proceedings? Proceedings should be handled by the flag state - the Russian Federation. This area in the Barents Sea is open, and the status of the open area near Spitsbergen means that fishing operations are conducted in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and only the flag State responsibility and take punitive measures against its ships. <...> Russia should just make it clear to Norwegians that we ourselves deal with the Russian courts and that Norway has no right to control the court in the area in the accordance with the international agreements".23 This view is convincing.

In connection with the incident in the area of fisheries have been identified and the problem of the Russian military sailors to create and maintain conditions to ensure the safety of the marine economic activity of Russia in the Svalbard area. The participants of the meeting in December 2011 discussed the progress of their implementation of the Russian Navy. One of the retaliatory steps of Russia is to intensify the demonstration of Russian military flag in the Barents Sea: the presence of the Northern Fleet in the Arctic, including the Svalbard area, flying over the Arctic Ocean combat long-range aircraft. All of this is in the current environment tools to ensure the national interests of Russia. At the meeting of the government committee on the Russian presence on Svalbard in December 2011, V.A. Zubkov stressed the need to improve coordination of this work with other concerned agencies.

Thus, the problems of the Russian fishing zone Spitsbergen square not yet been resolved and remains one of the most painful aspects of the Russian-Norwegian relations. The actions of the Norwegian side have a clear tendency for increased efforts to oust Russian fishermen from this area.

Scientific research work. Among the alternative coal mining activities of the Russians on Spizbergen is one of the main development researches. Back in 2008, at the archipelago were 10 research institutions. There is a huge reservoir of problems which need to conduct the scientific research in the Arctic. Spizbergen - is the perfect training ground for many of them. Russian scientists, Russian research teams are involved in the research in Pezbergen, Norway held the international organizations. A study by our forces are developing very slowly, - the G.D. Oleynik²⁴.

For the development of the scientific research in the archipelago developed a multifaceted program. In 2008, the construction began on the Russian Research Centre in Svalbard, the operation of which is expected in 2012. An integral part of such a program would be to create a branch in Svalbard Polar Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (PINRO). For this research center is planned to modernize existing in the archipelago of the Russian scientific town. Planned not only to develop geophysical, hydrological and geological projects, but also to build a receiving station for satellite data, scientific conferences. Justification of the project entrusted to the Federal Agency for Fishery. But the execution of this work is often hampered by the fact that requires constant coordination with the Norwegian authorities Svalbard actions of Russian scientists.

For example, a lot of obstacles arise in the archipelago at the Russian archaeologists. They are actively finding the 60 years of the twentieth century. Many of their findings convincingly demonstrate the constant presence of coast-dwellers in the archipelago, at least, from the XVI century, when permanent settlements of other countries did not exist. In digest "Svalbardposten" (Norwegian newspaper, which is published in Svalbard) says of the problems of Russian archaeologists: "Russian scientists from the Institute of Archaeology RAS appeal the decision to the governor, according to which they are forbidden to carry out excavations on the site of the Pomeranian Bettibukta settlements in the south of Spitsbergen. <...> ... In the Pomeranian towns are located residential building, two of the cross, burial, and the design of unknown destination. 25. "Restrictions archaeological Norwegian party explains the need to protect nature from human impact on Svalbard, in connection with which the vast expanses of the archipelago in the 60-70's have been declared nature reserves and the national parks.

Thus, the scientific activities of the Russians under constant restrictions imposed by the Norwegian authorities.

Tourism. Development of the polar tourism has become one of the main levers by which the Norwegians were able to provide lift Svalbard and turn it into a thriving administrative Longyearbyen village. The already-mentioned round table in the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs noted that in Norway showed us brochures on Svalbard - quite modern tourist industry. And it's all set up in a short time. Why are we discussing the problem for years, despite the fact that there are large local travel companies, including state-backed? Probably, and here it was possible to apply public-private partnership (G.D.Oleynik). Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade Minister Morgunov in 2010, pointed out: "Do not use the possibility of the development of tourism on the basis of settlements of Barentsburg and Pyramid though recreational opportunities Svalbard is very well known in the world. <...> In terms of the tourism business, then, should the law on tourism and recreational areas, may be considered appropriate to grant the status of the territory. Russian infrastructure on Svalbard is, even a swimming pool with heated ocean water"²⁶.

One of the touristic attractions can become the preserved Russian mine «Pyramid». This is the most northern settlement in the world, attracts a large number of travelers. There are a lot of other attractions with objects labeled "the most northern in the world": a monument to Lenin, Palace of Culture. Attempts to restore the building pyramids and revive him alive through the tourism undertaken jointly by Russian and Norwegian side. But there is several problems. The newspaper "Russian Reporter" in his essay "Archipelago could not" lin the opinion graduate of the graduate student of Petersburg of A. Astrakhantseva is written, that problems hinder the development of Russian tourism in Spitsbergen gene: "Now in the Pyramid Arktikugol set three good cabins for tourists. And they already have problems with licensing. You can imagine what will happen to the hotel that there will soon be repaired. Norwegians unprofitable, so that tourists spent the night with us: they want every night they came back to Longyearbyen. Their bureaucracy while masterfully handles in order to keep Russia on the periphery of the tourist business. What it opposes Russia? It's nothing. Suffering to the last, then wag his fist in the air and again suffers"27.

In addition, to Barentsburg went a great stream of the tourists, it is important to reconstruct berths. Now the Russian ports on Svalbard can not take the large passenger liners because of their high rainfall. Who will be able to fund these large-scale works - is not clear.

Link. Russians are making the great efforts to develop Spizbergen as the modern communication systems, including the use of the space satellites. But Norway's position on these efforts thinks with suspicion. One of these examples is the story of the Russian project of the creating a complex satellite reception in Barentsburg. Communications infrastructure of the construction in Spitsbergen provides the subprogram "Development and the use of the Arctic" Federal Program "World Ocean", approved by the Minister on 10 August 1998 № 919. Government customer facility is Rossvyaz. The purpose of construction of these facilities - Barentsburg provision of the modern communication services (telephone (fixed and mobile), broadband access to the Internet, ensuring the translation of at least six nationwide broadcast channels and three radio stations nationwide). Network availability planned for 2011.

The customer of the complex communication satellite network of Barentsburg was Arktikugol, performer - SE "Satellite Communications". In addition to the climatic conditions, the main complicating factor is that the Barentsburg is a guaranteed service area of the satellite. This required special installation conditions of the earth station. Installation of the station was made in the summer of 2002, as the space segment of the satellite was supposed to use the "Express-A1R." August 15, 2002, when the satellite was put into service at the orbital position 40 ° east longitude, the station was installed, provided access to the Internet. Was sold two jobs on the project "CyberPocht" - two personal computers installed in public places: one in the hotel, the second - in point of collective use, combined with a negotiating point. For shipping and printing of fresh issues of newspapers was set print station, on-line Newspaper Direct. In Barentsburg was possible to obtain the majority of Russian and foreign periodicals28.

However, later the situation became more complicated. In 2008, a survey of the state of the telecommunications infrastructure in Barentsburg was held. The report of the Federal Communications Agency noted that the population is able to take only three federal television programs, federal radio are not accepted; there is no service on the access to the Internet. Telephone network is overloaded. Long-distance and international calls are only possible point in the negotiations with the console. In order to provide the population of the village of Barentsburg with the modern communication services was developed a complex on Svalbard. FSUE "Satellite Communications" and FSUE GSPI RTV started the development of the design estimates for the activity "Construction of the infrastructure due to the Spitsbergen archipelago." In November 2008, the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Russian Satellite Communications" and FSUE "GT" Arktikugol "agreed and approved the technical requirements for the design of this facility"29.

At the end of 2011 in the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) began the organization of the point of the remote control of the complex receiving stations on Svalbard and of the thematic data. Completion of the work on the creating subsystem planned satellite observations in 2012. According Rossvyaz, "under the state contract entered through an open auction in the electronic form, in 2011, the construction of:

• -    The line of a binding (FOCL) Uplink - the center control and management (plot mountain of Olaf - the settlement of Barentsburg, extent of 1.6 km);

• -    Exterior electric networks 0.4 Sq on a plot mountain of Olaf - the settlement of Barentsburg (stretch of 1.9 km);

• -    Arrangement of the premises (hardware) and the reconstruction of the systems related to the engineering of infrastructure, manageable operation, Uplink basic references and station of cellular connection»³⁰.

Input in the exploitation of the infrastructure in Barentsburg with the parameters set design documents, in 2013. But in 2011, the Norwegian authorities have demanded to demolish the Russian complex erected satellite dishes. Svalbard authorities claim that the Russians "did not receive permission to build them." Russia's attempts to find a compromise solution have not been successful. As a result, the question, "hung in the air." This is reminiscent of the 30s, when the

Norwegian authorities actively protested against the construction of the archipelago Soviet radio, which, in their opinion, interfere with the work of the Norwegian radio operators31.

Thus, implementation of the Russians works in the field of the development communication systems authorities on Svalbard authorities under the pretext of the precision of Norwegian law .

To sum up, we note that the main directions of the development of the Russian presence on Svalbard defined in 90 years of the twentieth century, but the realization of them Russian authorities for a long time actually did not start, and many of the decisions were carried out formally and did not give the desired result. In this case, the desire is clearly seen by the Norwegian counteract increased economic activity Russians on Svalbard and the adjacent waters. The main excuse for this is to protect the environment. There's no denying that the nature of Svalbard is very vulnerable and we must carefully keep this economic activity. But, as noted by GD Oleinik, "we can not but worry that now much stronger (or used as a provocative) the role of environmental factors in the emergence of modern conflict."32.

As emphasized in December 2011, the meeting of the Government Commission to ensure the Russian presence on Svalbard, the implementation of the strategy should provide better quality of life, social security protection and safety of workers, the economy and life support systems, providing the citizens of Russia Svalbard air transport, modern medical care and quality telephone connection. Outcome of the meeting give reason to believe that the Russian government in the near future, from declaring and design will go to the practical implementation of the plans, and that Russia will maintain and strengthen its presence in this strategically important for the entire region of the Western Arctic.