Heading into tomorrow's committee vote on the Law of the Sea convention, all of the major Republican candidates have now taken a position against it.
Mike Huckabee was the first to make it an issue, having raised it repeatedly over the month of October and even inserting it into major speeches and in briefings with reporters. Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney followed suit, then John McCain, reversing his long-held position of support.
Rudy Giuliani completed the field today, issuing this statement:
"I oppose ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty. I believe the treaty is well intentioned, and I appreciate the hard work of U.S. negotiators who sought to resolve problems in the treaty first identified by President Reagan. I also understand the arguments of those — particularly in our military — who claim that this treaty will enhance America's ability to guarantee freedom of the seas for all peace-loving nations.
"But I believe that the treaty is fundamentally flawed. I cannot support the creation of yet another unaccountable international bureaucracy that might infringe on American sovereignty and curtail America's freedoms. I oppose ratification of this treaty as long as it fails to address these concerns."
— Stephen Dinaan, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (4)
If you agree with Mike Huckabee's message, I invite you to take my challenge at: www.abuckforhuck.com.
With your help, he will make a difference!
Posted by I Like Mike | October 30, 2007 7:29 PM
In todays multilateralist environment, laws are developed in a linear fashion with the assumption of long term stability of the original interpretation. Enforcement on the other hand is nonlinear in that it is through the self interests of the regional powers and subject to relativism. A type of power entropy exists today where as the U.S. influence recedes, Chinese and Russian influence fills the region. The law of the sea treaty will only form the basis for confrontation when the power zones of influence come into contact with each other. The U.N. has never been the entity to rule over these confrontations. It only pursues resolve over those entities that are constrained by the law, i.e. it is more concerned about the treatment of terrorists than terrorism. Like Guiliani, it is just another unaccountable international bureaucracy. A global social welfare system.
Posted by Larry Stone | October 31, 2007 1:13 AM
The next to the last sentence of my previous comment should have stated, like Guiliani said, it is just another unaccountable international bureaucracy.
Posted by Larry Stone | October 31, 2007 4:58 PM
Anyone who backs the Law of Sea Treaty is a disloyal American. Read it. It would cost America its sovereignity! No, matter your political party affiliation, and setting aside your thoughts on issues. We all need to remember what it is to be an American Citizen. We need to make sure our elected representatives obey their Oath of Office and keep their Oath of Allegiance.
Posted by Dr Coles | October 31, 2007 6:04 PM