Canadian tribe: U.S. oil drilling illegal

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- As Republicans moved Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil drilling through Congress, Canada's Gwich'in Indians argued the plan would violate international law.

The tribe said Tuesday oil development would damage the plain south of the refuge. The Gwich'in live on the plain, which is also the Porcupine caribou herd's birthing ground, the Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News reported.

"The herd has taken care of us since time immemorial and we have a reciprocal relationship to take care of the herd," said Gwich'in leader Luci Beach.

The report, prepared with help from American University law professor Richard Wilson, says drilling would violate international law.

However, Arctic Power lobbyist Jerry Hood described the effort as "the last flailing of the environmental community to stop what in all likelihood will occur."

The drilling, included in a budget bill that eliminates the possibility of filibuster, could go before the U.S. Senate as soon as next week, the report said.