Is the US Prepared to Protect Its Arctic Interests?
The answer to this question is a resounding “no.” The U.S. is not prepared to protect its interests in the Arctic over the next decade. The primary legal regime that is being relied upon by all members of the Arctic fraternity, the Law of the Sea Convention, has not been adopted by the U.S. The operational resources needed to pursue our interests have not been funded and there is currently little prospect that they will be funded in the near future. U.S. interests in the Arctic are vast.
Adm. Papp Testifies at "Law of the Sea" Hearing
Testifying yesterday before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations at a hearing on the Law of the Sea Convention, Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp stressed that accession to the Convention will better position the Coast Guard to advance and protect America’s national, economic and environmental security – especially in the emerging Arctic. Papp explained how the Coast Guard would be able to leverage provisions in the Convention to solidify the cooperative framework for interdiction at sea, enhance maritime safety and strengthen protection of the marine environment.
Senate Hearing on UNCLOS
The U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations conducted a hearing on possible ratification by the United States of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Following revisions to the deep seabed mining provisions of UNCLOS, the convention was signed by the United States in 1994, but no action was taken by the Senate toward ratification until now. Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), Committee Chair, made an opening statement generally supportive of ratification. Admiral James Watkins, USN (ret.) expressed his strong support of ratification. Source: HK Law
UNCLOS Approved by Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations conducted a business meeting at which, among other things, consideration was given to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Committee Chair Joseph Biden (D-DE) commenced the meeting by expressing his strong support for adoption of the Convention. As noted in a press release by Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), adoption of the Convention was recommended by a vote of 17 in favor with four opposed. The measure now goes to the floor for consideration by the entire Senate. The United States remains the only major maritime nation not party to this 25-year old treaty and thus has no seat at the table as important issues such as seabed claims more than 200 miles offshore are discussed.
