George Santayana
Posted on 05/23/2012 1:31:23 PM PDT by IbJensen
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and military leaders implored conservative Republicans on Wednesday to approve a long-spurned high seas treaty, saying it would create jobs, open a new path to oil, gas and other resources and bolster national security.
Clinton, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made a rare joint appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to make the case for the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The United States is the only major nation that has refused to sign the treaty, which was concluded in 1982 and been in force since 1994.
But the committee chairman announced at the start of the hearing that he would not push for a Senate vote before the November elections. Still, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., insisted that approval of the treaty is necessary because the United States "has lived by the rules, but we don't shape the rules."
Since the Reagan administration, the U.S. has abided by the rules of the treaty, which is endorsed by 161 countries and the European Union.
Clinton and the military leaders said it was now time for the U.S. to grab a seat at the table in international negotiations on navigational rights and seabed mining.
"One hundred and sixty nations have acceded to it, and we say, 'To hell with them, we're not going to participate in that,'" Panetta said. "Then 160 nations are going to determine what happens" and the U.S. is on the sidelines.
He said the United States repeatedly insists that Iran and North Korea follow international rules. Failing to approve the sea treaty, Panetta said, undermines U.S. authority.
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(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
This is a total BS in support of the Soros One World Order! This seems like High Seas Piracy. I trust Jim DeMint! NO TREATY!
Here's what the traitorous Bill Nelson (D) FL says to his constituents:
Dear Mr.XXXXXX:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. I appreciate your concerns about this treaty's impact on the sovereignty of the United States.
I believe our membership in the United Nations serves an important strategic purpose in advancing U.S. policies and interests. The Convention on the Law of the Sea has received broad support and has been endorsed by the oil, gas, and shipping industries, as well as environmental groups.
The treaty is critical to supporting the national security of the United States and ensuring our access to waterways around the world. The treaty also supports our work in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction through the Proliferation Security Initiative. Thus far, over 150 countries have ratified this treaty; if the U.S. is not party to this agreement our country will not have a seat at the table during future negotiations.
If this treaty is considered by the full Senate, I will make sure to keep your views in mind. If you have any additional concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me again.
Sincerely,
Bill Nelson
Another move to yield up America’s national sovereignty!
Code for expensive, intrusive, progressive, freedom taking, and government promoting.
Bu!!sh!t!
Another Lame Duck vote to pass the treaty. Guaranteed lock lame duck Lugar, and KBH will vote yes. There is no reason in this modern age of transportation to have lame duck sessions.
“Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff”
And FReepers think the US military aregoing to help us restore a constitutional form of government, this man has committed treason IMHO.
It will also do away with our sovergincy as a Nation but if military leaders are for it, I suppose that it is good.
If Hillary is for it, I’m pretty sure I should be against it.
you know how clintons parse words
John Podesta is one of her advisers.
Senators Lee and DeMint did a great job with questioning. Lee knew more than Hillary or Panetta.
161 countries on board. Which ones aren’t? I don’t much care what Liechtenstein did,what about Russia and China?
161 countries on board. Which ones aren’t? I don’t much care what Liechtenstein did,what about Russia and China?
I have other words for Podesta and any one of them would get me baned from FR.
Hey Leon, I'm A-OK with it!
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