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U.N. push for world government, advocates approval of key building block: Law of the Sea Treaty
The Center For Security Policy ^ | August 31, 2005 | Frank Gaffney

Posted on 09/05/2005 8:59:17 AM PDT by Paul Ross

Decision Brief No. 05-D 44 2005-08-31


On eve of U.N. push for global government, advocates urge Senate to approve a building block: The Law of the Sea Treaty


(Washington, D.C.): As concern grows that the United Nations is intent on replacing what the National Security Guidance calls "an orderly arrangement of sovereign states" with a proto-world government - complete with the ability to impose international taxes, a new push is being made for a treaty that would advance that purpose: the Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST).

This sovereignty-sapping agenda is at the heart of a dispute now playing out in Turtle Bay, where U.S. Permanent Representative John Bolton is resisting an initiative pushed by governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who are hostile to the United States and/or champions of a supranational government. Amb. Bolton is being savaged by the latter for wisely seeking over 500 changes to a draft Outcome Document envisioned for signature by heads of state and government at a High-Level Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly next month.

Yesterday, French President Jacques Chirac underscored his government's intention to push forward with one such tax - on international airline travel, both as a unilateral initiative and together with Germany, Spain, Algeria, Brazil and Chile at the UN meeting. According to the Associated Press, "French authorities said a tax of about $6 per passenger worldwide, with a $25 surcharge for business class, would generate about $12 billion a year. The contribution could be adjusted in poorer countries, so passengers there were not penalized."

The Establishment Strikes Back

It is against this unlikely backdrop, that a group of prominent former and present officials released today a letter to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist urging him to facilitate the "expeditious" ratification of a treaty that would help establish precedents useful to opponents of the Bush Administration at the UN and elsewhere: the Law of the Sea (LOST).

Despite the highly generalized praise for LOST offered by its proponents in the letter dated 31 August, the Treaty is problematic in a number of respects. For example, its governing body would be empowered to impose what amount to international taxes on resources extracted from the ocean floor and subsurface. Parties to the accord, moreover, are compelled to submit to what will, inevitably, be politicized tribunals like the World Court, whose decisions are binding and unappealable. It contains sweeping environmental obligations that make those entailed in the Kyoto accords pale by comparison - especially insofar as the Law of the Sea Tribunal has established that it believes its jurisdiction extends to activities on land and in the air if they might affect the world's oceans.

Perhaps most worrisome is the fact that LOST was shaped by individuals, NGOs and regimes that have sought to use such international agreements governing the so-called "common space" to constrain America's freedom of action and military power. This could be accomplished, were the United States to become a party to LOST, by the use of the Treaty's tribunal and/or arbitration panels to encumber U.S. intelligence collection and submarine activities, by insisting upon the transfer of militarily significant technology and information, and even by prohibiting the interdiction of vessels believed to be engaged in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Second Opinions

Opponents of the Law of the Sea Treaty have their own roster of influential figures who can go toe-to-toe on the implications of this accord with those who lent their name to the letter to Senator Frist. In fact, earlier this year, an array of organizations and individuals representing virtually the entire conservative movement joined a press conference at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) to release their own letter to Sen. Richard Lugar, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Among those who participated were Senator James Inhofe, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; Ambassador Jeanne Kirkpatrick; David Keene, Chairman of the American Conservative Union; Patrick Buchanan, author and commentator; Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform; Fred Smith, President, The Competitive Enterprise Institute and Frank J. Gaffney, Jr., President, Center for Security Policy.

Incredibly, the voices of such critics were not afforded an opportunity to be heard when, in the Fall of 2003, the Foreign Relations Committee last considered the Law of the Sea Treaty and approved a resolution of ratification. In the intervening period: serious opposition has emerged; the Treaty was returned to the Foreign Relations Committee with the end of the last session of Congress and must be considered by that panel, and others, afresh; and the Bush Administration has had to confront new realities. Of these, the most immediate is the fact that the sorts of problems inherent in this Treaty are of a piece with those it is currently confronting in the draft Outcome Document for the UN General Assembly meeting next month.

The Bottom Line

For these reasons, if Senator Frist feels the need to respond to the LOST proponents' new letter, it should be with an assurance that any further consideration by the Senate of this flawed treaty will be done in a manner that assures its defects as well as putative merits are carefully and deliberately examined. And, just as the United States must oppose global taxes and world-government-advancing programs at the UN this fall, it should do as Ronald Reagan did in 1982 - namely, reject the Law of the Sea Treaty.



TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 20050831; 20060830; 666; ailines; airtravel; bolton; buchanan; chirac; cpac; davidkeene; evil; frankgaffney; fredsmith; gaffney; globalism; globaltax; grovernorquist; inhofe; interdictions; international; jamesinhofe; jeannekirkpatrick; keene; kirkpatrick; lost; lotst; newworldorder; norquist; patbuchanan; patrickbuchanan; sea; security; sovereignty; taxes; tobintax; turtlebay; waronthecia; worldcourt; worldgovernment
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To: fallujah-nuker
Can anyone post a picture of Senator Lugar? He is the RINO poster boy with that stupid grin he wears on his face.

Agreed. Will this one do? (It comes right from Wikipedia's RINO discussion!)


21 posted on 09/05/2005 10:19:31 AM PDT by Paul Ross (Definition of strict constructionist: someone who DOESN'T hallucinate when reading the Constitution)
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To: Paul Ross

Have long, with Pres Reagan and others, seen this as an insideous, traitorous, horrid, destructive treaty.

Lord, God, please--hold this back as long as possible. Bring to naught all efforts toward it. Neutralize in fiercely effective ways all who support it, in Jesus' Name.


22 posted on 09/05/2005 10:21:18 AM PDT by Quix (GOD IS LOVE and full of mercy HE IS ALSO JUST & fiercely HOLY. Cultures choosing death shall have it)
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To: Graymatter
Isn't President Bush in favor of this treaty?

Bush seams to be in favor of anything that weakens sovereignty while at the same time claiming to be for strong security.

23 posted on 09/05/2005 10:23:13 AM PDT by raybbr
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To: Bikers4Bush; LiteKeeper; RickofEssex; bulldogs; Vigilanteman; ServesURight; NonValueAdded; ...

LOST PING


24 posted on 09/05/2005 10:24:42 AM PDT by hedgetrimmer
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To: Allosaurs_r_us; Abram; AlexandriaDuke; Annie03; Baby Bear; bassmaner; Bernard; BJClinton; ...
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
25 posted on 09/05/2005 10:28:47 AM PDT by freepatriot32 (Deep within every dilemma is a solution that involves explosives)
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To: abbi_normal_2; adam_az; Alamo-Girl; Alas; alfons; alphadog; AMDG&BVMH; amom; AndreaZingg; ...
Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

List of Ping lists

26 posted on 09/05/2005 10:30:35 AM PDT by freepatriot32 (Deep within every dilemma is a solution that involves explosives)
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To: freepatriot32

BTTT!!!!!!!


27 posted on 09/05/2005 10:40:03 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: Paul Ross

'We ought not to entangle ourselves in really stoopid entanglements.' (Paraphrasing the Founding Fathers.)


28 posted on 09/05/2005 10:42:15 AM PDT by Eastbound
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To: Paul Ross
WOW! That is a fine looking RINO! Even got him with the stupid grin. I entered "lugar rino" into google and got 20,600 matches.
29 posted on 09/05/2005 10:45:14 AM PDT by fallujah-nuker (Daimler Chrysler's ride is fly, so I won't buy)
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To: Paul Ross

INTREP - ALERT - Yet another invasion of our beloved country!


30 posted on 09/05/2005 10:55:14 AM PDT by LiteKeeper (The radical secularization of America is happening)
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To: Carry_Okie; hedgetrimmer; Paul Ross

What is it with these damn retired U.S. Navy AdmiralS? Former Secretarys of State I understand, they were half communist when they took the job. Schwarzenegger managed to get on the list too!

James D. Watkins
Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Chair, U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

Ambassador David M. Abshire
President, Center for the Study of the Presidency

John Adams
President, Natural Resources Defense Council

Madeleine K. Albright
Former Secretary of State

James A. Baker III
Former Secretary of State
Senior Partner, Baker Botts, LLP

Leon E. Panetta
Chair, Pew Oceans Commission

Robert D. Ballard
Professor, Graduate School of Oceanography,
University of Rhode Island

Ted A. Beattie
President and CEO, John G. Shedd Aquarium

Lillian C. Borrone
Former Assistant Executive Director,
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Senator John B. Breaux
Senior Counsel, Patton Boggs LLP

David G. Burney
Executive Director, U.S. Tuna Foundation

David D. Caron
Program Director, Law of the Sea Institute,
University of California, Berkeley

Red Cavaney
President and CEO,
American Petroleum Institute

Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr.
President and CEO, Marathon Oil Corporation

Eileen Claussen
President and Chair of the Board,
Pew Center on Global Climate Change

James M. Coleman
Professor, Coastal Studies Institute,
Louisiana State University

Joseph J. Cox
President and CEO,
Chamber of Shipping of America

Walter Cronkite
CBS

Admiral William J. Crowe, Jr.
Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman, Advisory Board, Global Options, Inc.

Ann D’Amato
Chief of Staff, Office of City Attorney,
Los Angeles

Thomas Dammrich
President,
National Marine Manufacturers Association

Lawrence R. Dickerson
President and COO,
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

Donald L. Evans
Former Secretary of Commerce

Thomas Fry
President,
National Ocean Industries Association

Paul G. Gaffney II
President, Monmouth University

Robert B. Gagosian
President and Director, Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution

Representative James C. Greenwood
President and CEO,
Biotechnology Industry Organization

Governor Christine Gregoire
State of Washington

Carlotta A. Leon Guerrero

Executive Director, Ayuda Foundation,
Micronesia Medical Missions

Representative Lee Hamilton
President and Director, Woodrow Wilson
International Center for Scholars

Mike Hayden
Secretary, Kansas Department of
Wildlife and Parks

Geoffrey Heal
Professor, Graduate School of Business,
Columbia University

Marc J. Hershman
Professor, School of Marine Affairs,
University of Washington

Carla A. Hills
Former U.S. Trade Representative,
Chairman and CEO, Hills & Company

Senator Ernest F. Hollings
Hollings Cancer Center

Paul L. Kelly
Senior Vice President, Rowan Companies, Inc.

Donald Kennedy, Ph.D.
Editor-in Chief, Science Magazine
American Association for the
Advancement of Science

Charles F. Kennel
Director, Scripps Institution of Oceanography,
University of California, San Diego

Tony Knowles
Former Governor of Alaska

Christopher L. Koch
President and CEO, World Shipping Council

Governor Ted Kulongoski
State of Oregon

Governor Linda Lingle
State of Hawaii

Jane Lubchenco
Professor, Department of Zoology
Oregon State University

Robert C. McFarlane
Former National Security Advisor
Chairman, Energy and Communications
Solutions LLC

John Norton Moore
Director, Center for Oceans Law and Policy,
University of Virginia School of Law

Frank E. Muller-Karger
Professor, College of Marine Science,
University of South Florida

James J. Mulva
Chairman and CEO, ConocoPhillips

George B. Newton, Jr.
Chairman, U.S. Arctic Research Commission

Senator Sam Nunn
Co-Chairman and CEO,
The Nuclear Threat Initiative

Sean O’Keefe
Former NASA Administrator,
Chancellor, Louisiana State University

Julie Packard
Executive Director, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Pietro Parravano
President, Institute for Fisheries Resources

Governor George E. Pataki
State of New York

Brian T. Petty
Senior Vice President,
International Association of Drilling Contractors

Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering
Former Under Secretary for Political Affairs,
U.S. Department of State

Colin Powell
Former Secretary of State

Joseph W. Prueher
Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired)

Edward B. Rasmuson
Chairman of the Statewide Advisory Board,
Wells Fargo Bank

William K. Reilly
Former EPA Administrator,
Chairman, World Wildlife Fund

Joseph P. Riley, Jr.
Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina

David Rockefeller, Jr.
Vice Chair, National Park Foundation

Andrew A. Rosenberg
Professor, Department of Natural Resources and
Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space
University of New Hampshire

William D. Ruckelshaus
Strategic Director, Madrona Venture Group

Roger T. Rufe, Jr.
President, The Ocean Conservancy

Barry Russell
President,
Independent Petroleum Association of America

Paul A. Sandifer
Senior Scientist, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration

William L. Schachte, Jr.
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired)

Harry N. Scheiber
Co-Director, Law of the Sea Institute,
University of California, Berkeley

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State of California

Governor Togiola Tulafono
U.S. Territory of American Samoa

Marilyn Ware
Chairman Emeritus, American Water

Kathryn Sullivan
President and CEO,
Center of Science and Industry

Strobe Talbott

Richard D. West
President, Consortium for Oceanographic
Research and Education

Patten D. White
CEO, Maine Lobstermen’s Association

Russell E. Train
Chairman Emeritus, World Wildlife Fund

cc: President George W. Bush
Vice-President Richard B. Cheney
Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Senator Harry M. Reid
Senator Richard G. Lugar
Senator Joseph R. Biden


31 posted on 09/05/2005 11:12:56 AM PDT by B4Ranch (The New World Odor is UN-American)
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To: Paul Ross

Bolton is causing havoc at the UN by fighting AGAINST what the UN is trying to sneak through. It even says so in the posted article. That's why Bolton was appointed by President Bush.

"This sovereignty-sapping agenda is at the heart of a dispute now playing out in Turtle Bay, where U.S. Permanent Representative John Bolton is RESISTING an initiative pushed by governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who are hostile to the United States and/or champions of a supranational government. Amb. Bolton is being savaged by the latter for wisely seeking over 500 changes to a draft Outcome Document envisioned for signature by heads of state and government at a High-Level Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly next month."


32 posted on 09/05/2005 11:14:57 AM PDT by plushaye (President Bush: W-2-4-4!! God Bless him and his administration.)
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To: raybbr

Well said!


33 posted on 09/05/2005 11:18:04 AM PDT by B4Ranch (The New World Odor is UN-American)
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To: Quix
Lord, God, please--hold this back as long as possible.

You know, that prayer sounds like you've surrendered to it already.

It hasn't been confirmed, and with the proper pressure in the right places, it never will be.

Cheers!

34 posted on 09/05/2005 11:38:37 AM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: Paul Ross

A CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b2aa8747413.htm

a package of 34 treaties, all of which were ratified by a show of hands -- no recorded vote.
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3a325b3f5d31.htm

Annan in historic meeting with Supreme Court &Congress/is believed to be unprecedented.
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b0c30a81760.htm


35 posted on 09/05/2005 12:31:43 PM PDT by cope85
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To: B4Ranch

Now we know why the RATS didn't want Bolton in the UN.


36 posted on 09/05/2005 12:42:11 PM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Liberal Talking Point - Bush = Hitler ... Republican Talking Point - Let the Liberals Talk)
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To: Paul Ross; Jeff Head
Jeepers, this is so OBVIOUS.

The acronym for this treaty is LOST.

Just like we should rename
"Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS)"
to
"Supreme Court, Rulers of the United Metrosexual States (SCROTUMS)"

Cheers!

37 posted on 09/05/2005 1:04:22 PM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: raybbr

Why would Bush appoint Bolton then if he was so for this treaty and the UN? Your statement doesnt jive with whats going on.


38 posted on 09/05/2005 1:36:03 PM PDT by badgerbengal (close the border and open fire.)
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To: Paul Ross

What kills me is the rah-rah support for John Bolton by conservatives. We don't need a UN ambassador at all, because we never should have a member of the UN in the first place. The solution to the UN problem is to for the US to get out of the UN and kick it out of the US!


39 posted on 09/05/2005 1:38:30 PM PDT by Mush MouthPhil (socialism is a drug in the nation's system)
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To: grey_whiskers
It hasn't been confirmed, and with the proper pressure in the right places, it never will be.

I'm not giving up either...but I can understand his frustration...we are fighting the entire system, for all practical purposes, because we already lost the high ground, the White House.

The President himself has thrown in with these characters. The treaty can't be presented unless he tenders it. He is backing it the whole way.

And frankly when we are on our knees praying....and 'looking to the hills for our help'...that is when we are truly in fighting form...and at our most effective.

Who can stand against HIM?

40 posted on 09/05/2005 1:50:48 PM PDT by Paul Ross (Definition of strict constructionist: someone who DOESN'T hallucinate when reading the Constitution)
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