May 9, 2012
For Immediate Release
May 9, 2012
Contact:
Frances Cox
202-496-2128
Campaign to Urge Law of the Sea Treaty Ratification Launched Amidst Unprecedented Showing of Support
Ratification Would Expand American Sovereignty, Protect Vital U.S. National Security and Economic Interests
Washington, D.C. – Amidst an unprecedented showing of support from several former Secretaries of State and Defense, representatives of some of the largest U.S. corporations, and scores of current and former U.S. military leaders, a diverse group of advocates today launched The American Sovereignty Campaign (TASC) to urge the U.S. Senate to ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty immediately.
“The Senate can help expand economic opportunity, create U.S. jobs and protect existing business and commercial interests by ratifying the Law of the Sea Treaty without delay,” said TASC spokesman Jeff Pike. “Ratification would expand U.S. sovereignty and protect America’s national and economic security. Failure to ratify would be a failure to act in America’s national interest.”
Growing competition and disputes for natural resources and emerging hostilities at sea have increased the demand for U.S. participation in the treaty. For example:
- America has legitimate claims to vast areas of the Arctic, which, absent U.S. ratification, can be encroached upon by other nations. Russia has already submitted a claim for almost half of the Arctic and Canada intends to put forth a large claim.
- Cuba is proceeding with plans to drill for oil within 60 miles of the Florida coast.
- Iran has threatened peaceful commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and commercial shipping and military transport through critical Pacific Ocean chokepoints are at risk.
- The U.S. economy will benefit from access to important minerals, including rare earth minerals widely used in medical equipment and modern technology - such as smart phones, flat screen TVs and electric vehicles - and U.S. defense systems.
Treaty ratification would also guarantee U.S. armed forces free movement over the world’s oceans and an internationally recognized system for resolving commercial disputes in foreign waters while still preserving America’s exclusive right to address military disputes directly rather than through an international body.
All living former U.S. Presidents and Secretaries of State, as well as the current members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, dozens of current and former Army, Marine and Air Force generals and Navy and Coast Guard admirals support its ratification.
Today’s campaign launch – which was announced at a gathering of national security officials, including the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and critical U.S. business leaders – kicks off a coordinated and aggressive effort to secure immediate Senate ratification.
Learn more about TASC at www.RatifyTheTreatyNow.org.
The American Sovereignty Campaign (TASC) is supported by a broad, diverse and distinguished group of national security, business and NGO leaders who are committed to expanding U.S. sovereignty and protecting vital national security and economic interests by securing Senate ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty this year. Learn more about TASC at www.RatifyTheTreatyNow.org.
