Arguments: Most Active
Opponents of U.S. ratification of UNCLOS have argued that U.S. intelligence operations will be complicated by UNCLOS because it will prevent U.S. submarines from gathering intelligence in territorial waters. However, these operations are already regulated by the existing 1958 convention which the U.S. ratified and expects other nations to abide by. Furthermore, the intelligence community has reviewed the treaty and concluded that it was still in U.S. interests to ratify the treaty.
- Nothing in UNCLOS will change the conduct of naval intelligence operations
- Closed hearings before the Senate Armed Services and Classified Intelligence committees confirmed that UNCLOS will not jeopardize intelligence gathering
- U.S. defense and intelligence community played role in drafting articles 19 & 20 to protect U.S. rights
- Nothing in the convention will impact intelligence operations or the proliferation security Initative
- ... and 12 more quote(s)
U.S. participation in UNCLOS will in no way undermine its participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative. In fact, ratification will do more to help bolster the PSI regime as critically important democratic Pacific countries have indicated a desire to support our counter-proliferation efforts, but will not do so as long as the U.S. is a non-party to UNCLOS.
- Adherence to UNCLOS would not threaten the Proliferation Security Initiative
- All Proliferation Security Initiative partners are already partner to UNCLOS except the United States
- Nothing in the convention will impact intelligence operations or the proliferation security Initative
- U.S. ratification of UNCLOS would enhance PSI and freedom of navigation efforts
- ... and 13 more quote(s)
Ratification of UNCLOS will neither sway China nor guarantee U.S. navigational rights in the South China Seas any more than continued U.S. naval presence through the Freedom of Navigation program.
- Maritime disputes with China won't be solved by legal wrangling but asserting rights through diplomacy and establishing a pattern of state practice
- Chinese aggressive claims in South China Seas motivated by three strategic goals
- China attempting to use UNCLOS to bind participants to its interpretation of military activities clause, U.S. should not play along
- U.S. Navy's freedom of operation in South China Sea could be more constrained after ratification of UNCLOS
- ... and 10 more quote(s)
- Ratification of UNCLOS would expose U.S. to broad liability for environmental damage in international courts
- U.S. participation in UNCLOS will undermine national sovereignty
- U.S. would be obligated to transfer technology under UNCLOS
- U.S. ratification of UNCLOS would further advance collectivist idea of "common heritage of mankind"
- UNCLOS would give far-reaching regulatory powers to international and national bureacracies
- The 1994 Agreement did not resolve serious problems with UNCLOS
- U.S. should reject UNCLOS because of its revenue sharing agreements
- UNCLOS would subject U.S. to anti-competitive regime
- U.S. ratification of UNCLOS would damage national security
U.S. ratification of UNCLOS will have a positive effect on the environment as the conservation of ocean wildlife, the protection of delicate marine ecosystems, and the control of marine pollution are by their very nature multilateral issues. U.S. ratification will demonstrate U.S. commitment to address these problems in a cooperative manner at a time when some view U.S. policy as generally antithetical to multilateral arrangements. The environmental community strongly favors UNCLOS and U.S. ratification would send a message of support
- U.S. ratification of UNCLOS would boost its international environmental leadership and support multilateral environmental cooperation
- U.S. ratification of UNCLOS will go a long way towards promoting international protection of the environment
- U.S. ratification of UNCLOS would boost U.S. leadership on protecting maritime environment in multiple ways
- UNCLOS greatly improves international protections for marine biodiversity
- ... and 14 more quote(s)
Ratifying LOSC will also enhance U.S. counter-piracy efforts by improving America’s ability to shape the legal authorities the international community relies on to combat piracy, especially in instances where existing agreements do not account for advancements in technology.
Although states making excessive claims will never publicly welcome U.S. challenges through its Freedom of Navigation program, the U.S. – as an UNCLOS party – would have greater credibility and standing to conduct challenges, reaffirming as a fellow-member the crucial tenants of an internationally accepted legal regime.
U.S. ratification of UNCLOS would bolster homeland security efforts in two significant ways. First, it would provide a stable legal basis for U.S. freedom of navigation rights, preserving the right of the U.S. military to use the world’s oceans to meet national security requirements. Secondly, it would provide stronger legal basis for the U.S. to conduct necessary counter-terrorism interdiction operations and challenge excessive claims.
- Ratification of UNCLOS key to supporting U.S. efforts in current counterterrorism efforts
- U.S. ratification of UNCLOS will facilitate U.S. efforts in war on terrorism
- U.S. accession to UNCLOS would greatly enhance capacity of US coast guard to safeguard borders and ocean resources
- Navigational freedoms in UNCLOS critical in current global war on terrorism
- ... and 4 more quote(s)
U.S. ratification of UNCLOS would boost its leadership standing in a couple of ways. First, by acceeding to the treaty, the U.S. would immediately be able to participate in the discussion around the future of the treaty and participate in maritime forums that it had previously been locked out of. Secondly, by ratifying the treaty, the U.S. would improve its soft power by showing more of a willingness to cooperate multilaterally.
- Ratification of the convention is key to U.S. foreign policy objectives and leadership
- U.S. ratification of UNCLOS necessary for resolving conflicts and showing leadership in Asia-Pacific region
- Ratification of convention key to U.S. soft power leadership
- U.S. Ratification of UNCLOS would show U.S. willingness to work multilaterally and strengthen our partnerships
- ... and 10 more quote(s)
UNCLOS provisions for counter-piracy have not kept pace with current developments and its EEZ provisions can complicate the ability of other states to act to thwart pirates.