Monday, May 02, 2016

"The Law of the Sea"

The United States of America is not a member of the UN convention.(click here). Most of the world is a member of this convention, 

Color code:
Green - member parties
Blue - Member countries per European Union
Yellow - Signatories
Red - Non-members

The topic came up during a US Senate Armed Services Committee Session. I didn't know the USA was not a member of the Law of the Sea, but, I do recall writing the Bush White House about joining it many years ago. It seems to me and others in power in the US Senate joining the convention opens up a venue to dialogue directly with China. That venue is far more appropriate than simply imposing a military presence in the Pacific Ocean through the TPP as US national interests.

The relationship in the Pacific Ocean between China and the USA is confrontational, albeit North Korea. I find it unfortunate the USA has an imposing stance in the Pacific Ocean rather than one of partnership. In joining the Law of the Sea, the United States of America could be included in the dialogue which includes our allies. It is a missing piece in our foreign policy. Our allies are fully engaged with this convention and the USA is blind to that involvement. That is simply wrong. The USA needs to move to ratifying the convention and join our allies in dialogue that is beneficial to them and many other countries. It has the potential of being a peace initiative as well.