LETTER TO FRIST URGES SENATE APPROVAL OF UNCLOS

August 31, 2005 - In a letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, various high-profile members of government, nongovernmental organizations, media and academia urged United States accession to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Signatories stressed that rapid Senate approval is critical to US economic interests and national security. The US remains the only major industrial country not to sign UNCLOS, which is supported by a total of 148 countries.

The letter demonstrated widespread support for the ratification of UNCLOS. From a unanimous vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last year and supportive testimony from high-ranking Navy and Coast Guard officials, it is evident that the treaty is essential to military mobility and security. Ocean industries, environmental organizations, and the US Commission on Ocean Policy, whose members are appointed by the President, all advocate the accession of UNCLOS for economic and environmental purposes. President Bush and Secretary of State Rice also support the treaty.

The U.S. would not have to adopt additional policies or pass additional laws to comply with UNCLOS, but ratification would have tremendous military, economic, and environmental benefits. In addition, Senate ratification would send a positive message about American principles and commitment to cooperation.

The letter’s signatories include former Secretaries of State James A. Baker III, Madeleine Albright, and Colin Powell, Governors Gregoire, Kulongoski, Lingle, Pataki, Schwarzenegger, and Tulafono, former Senators Breaux and Nunn, Ambassadors Abshire and Pickering, Walter Cronkite, and former Representative Lee Hamilton.

+READ MORE about the Law of the Sea Treaty provisions and status
 

Updated on September 21, 2005

Citizens for Global Solutions Law of the Sea Treaty Fact Sheet

Citizens for Global Solutions sign-on letter, placed in Roll Call, urging Sen. Frist to allow a vote on ratification, May 12, 2004.

Citizens for Global Solutions Law of the Sea Ad Running in Tennessee Newspapers

House Oceans Caucus letters to Senator Frist and Senator Daschle urging ratification, June 24, 2004.

Law of the Sea Convention: Should the U.S. Ratify? Brookings Institution, June 22, 2004 (PDF).

Navy League Presidential message calls Law of the Sea essential for U.S. Naval Power

Official treaty website - Contains treaty text, status.

Interview with Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) from Citizens for Global Solutions Spring 2004 Newsletter

Senator Lugar's website on the treaty

Chatanooga Times Editorial urging Sen. Frist to call for vote on ratification (PDF)

Senate Committee Hearings:
• Foreign Relations, October 21, 2003 
• Environment & Public Works, March 23, 2004.
• Armed Forces, April 8, 2004.

Letters Supporting Ratification:
• Commission on Ocean Policy (PDF)
• Adm. Vern Clark, CNO (PDF)
• Petroleum industry (PDF)
• Chamber of Shipping of America (PDF)
• Western Pacific Regional  Fishery Mgmt. Council (PDF)
• Environmental groups (PDF)
• Pew Oceans Commission (PDF)
• American Bar Association (PDF)
• Gen. Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (PDF)
• Former State Dept. Legal Advisors (PDF)
• Navy League of the U.S. (PDF)
• State Dept. Legal Advisor (PDF)
• 1998 AT&T letter (PDF)