June 5, 2012
Five Secretaries of State from Former Republican Administrations Endorse Law of the Sea Ratification
In a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed, former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, George Shultz, James Baker III, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice explain why the Senate should ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty now:
- “… If the U.S. finally becomes party to this treaty, it will be a boon for our national security and economic interests. U.S. accession will codify our maritime rights and give us new tools to advance national interests.
- “The convention's primary functions are to define maritime zones, preserve freedom of navigation, allocate resource rights, establish the certainty necessary for various businesses that depend on the sea, and protect the marine environment.
- “Flaws in the treaty regarding deep-seabed mining, which prevented President Ronald Reagan from supporting it, were fixed in 1994. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have supported ratification, as do Presidents George H.W. Bush and Barack Obama, because it is in the best interest of our nation. …
- “The continuing delay of U.S. accession to the convention compromises our nation's authority to exercise our sovereign interest, jeopardizes our national and economic security, and limits our leadership role in international ocean policy. …
- “Current and past military leaders are firmly behind accession, because while nothing in the convention restricts or prohibits our military activity, it is the best process for resolving disputes.
- “We have been on the sidelines long enough. Now is the time to get on the field and lead.”
Sending an SOS to the U.S. Senate – Ratify the Treaty Now!
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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 immediate Senate ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty. Learn more about TASC at www.RatifyTheTreatyNow.org.
