April 24, 2012
"... Joining the Law of the Sea Convention will provide the U.S. with the weather gage to address emerging challenges that threaten the nation, and enhance the Coast Guard's ability to safeguard the American people, our environment, and ocean resources that benefit all Americans. ...
"We live in a maritime world, and we rely on the sea for commerce. The Convention is the international legal framework on usage of the oceans. We face a dynamic strategic environment, and preserving freedom of navigation on the sea and protecting U.S. maritime sovereignty remain key U.S. interests. Joining the Convention will lock in vital navigational rights that ensure the mobility of Coast Guard cutters, Navy warships, and other U.S. vessels and aircraft, and will protect America's sovereign rights over offshore resources that the Coast Guard is charged with protecting on behalf of the American people. ...
"The Convention sets the overarching framework for cooperative law enforcement at sea, an important force multiplier for the Coast Guard. We rely on bilateral and multilateral international agreements and cooperation with partner nations to effectively interdict and combat threats to America, especially drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. These agreements ensure expeditious boarding, search, enforcement, and prosecution decisions, enabling the Coast Guard to quickly counter the threat and then release on-scene personnel, cutters, and aircraft to continue operations across a vast ocean operating area. When diplomatic negotiations over where to bring and prosecute contraband and detainees are prolonged because the U.S. is not a party to the Convention, we keep our front line cutters and boarding teams sidelined from the battle. Joining the Convention better positions the United States to interpret and demand adherence to Convention provisions that ensure rapid disposition of cases, and better protect America's maritime security.
"The nation needs an azimuth check on the Law of the Sea Convention. I'm confident a thoughtful assessment will reaffirm that the Convention has been and remains a success for U.S. diplomacy that furthers U.S. national interests. It will provide the nation with the weather gage, and better enable the Coast Guard to protect Americans from the sea, protect Americans from threats delivered by sea, and protect the sea itself. As Capt. Aubrey always said when confronted with almost impossible odds, 'There's not a moment to lose!'"