The New Zealand government has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Kingdom of Antarctica, demanding the withdrawal of its government and military presence from the Ross Dependency.
The announcement, issued by the Office of the Governor-General in Wellington, follows concerns over what New Zealand describes as the illegal occupation of its overseas territory in Antarctica.
New Zealand says reports from people living in the Ross Dependency have raised concerns about the construction of infrastructure which it claims is unnecessary and has caused damage to the Antarctic environment.
The government has also alleged that New Zealand citizens in the territory have been subjected to conduct that violates their human rights.
New Zealand says images accompanying its statement show infrastructure projects which it considers to have adversely affected the surrounding environment.
Five demands
The government has formally presented five demands to the Kingdom of Antarctica:
- The immediate removal of all government civil and military services from the Ross Dependency.
- Official recognition of the Ross Dependency as New Zealand territory.
- The restoration of damaged natural environments.
- Compensation for the costs of environmental clean-up resulting from the alleged pollution.
- A formal written apology to New Zealand and the international community.
The New Zealand government says its intelligence agency, the NZSIS, has also cleared a report concerning the situation for public release.
24-hour deadline
New Zealand has given the Kingdom of Antarctica 24 hours to comply with the demands, warning that action will be taken if the ultimatum expires without a resolution.
The government has not specified what action it intends to take.
The dispute centres on the status and control of the Ross Dependency, with New Zealand maintaining that the territory is under its sovereignty and accusing the Kingdom of Antarctica of occupying it without authorisation.
The Kingdom of Antarctica has not, in the statement provided, publicly responded to the ultimatum.
The 24-hour deadline now places the two governments under pressure to resolve the dispute before New Zealand’s stated deadline expires.
ANTARCTICA REJECTS NEW ZEALAND ULTIMATUM
Kingdom dismisses all five demands
The Kingdom of Antarctica has formally rejected the ultimatum issued by New Zealand over the disputed Ross Dependency, refusing all five demands presented by the New Zealand Government.
In a statement released following the ultimatum, the Kingdom said it considered the territorial question settled and rejected what it described as an attempt to reopen the dispute through the threat of force.
Sovereignty dispute
The Antarctic Government cited a ruling by the International Court of Justice, dated 14 February 2023, which it says determined that New Zealand had no historical claim over Antarctica.
The Kingdom also claimed that its admission to the United Nations, approved by the required majority, represented international recognition of Antarctica’s existence and sovereignty across the continent.
On that basis, the Kingdom said it would not recognise the Ross Dependency as New Zealand territory or withdraw its civil and military services from the region.
Environmental and human-rights allegations
Despite rejecting New Zealand’s territorial demands, the Kingdom said it remained prepared to receive specific and evidenced complaints regarding the allegations of environmental damage and human-rights violations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said such concerns should be submitted through established diplomatic and international channels rather than being attached to a territorial ultimatum.
The Kingdom has also rejected New Zealand’s demands for compensation and a formal apology.
Military tensions increase
The Kingdom has warned that any declaration of hostilities by New Zealand would be treated as a serious escalation.
It said the Royal Antarctic Defence Force remains at its ordinary posture, while stressing that it does not seek conflict and would not be the party to initiate one.
The government warned that should New Zealand act upon its threat, Antarctica would respond and seek to hold New Zealand accountable before the relevant organs of the international community.
24-hour deadline remains in focus
New Zealand’s original ultimatum gave the Kingdom of Antarctica 24 hours to comply with its demands before further action is taken.
The rejection means the deadline remains a significant point of concern as the international community watches for New Zealand’s next move.
The dispute has now entered a heightened diplomatic phase, with the possibility of further escalation if New Zealand proceeds with the action outlined in its ultimatum.
BBC World News will continue to follow developments as they emerge.