Speaking at the 2011 Joint Warfighters Conference, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gray Roughead addressed the Law of the Sea Convention in the context of the Arctic and had another message for Congress.
Asked about the effects of climate change, Roughead cited the warming of Arctic waters and the increasing access to the region.
Before too long, he said, "you're likely to have a reliable and routine sea route across the top of the world." Increased access will bring more disputes, he predicted.
"The vehicle for the adjudication of those disputes will be the Law of the Sea," the CNO said, referring to an international treaty that has not been ratified by the Senate.
"We are not a party to that," Roughead lamented. "Decisions will be made that we will have no influence on. Myself and every one of my living predecessors have strongly endorsed becoming a party to that treaty. I think the time to do it is now.
"Nations are looking to us for leadership, and we are not there. We should agree to that treaty without delay," Roughead urged.
Before too long, he said, "you're likely to have a reliable and routine sea route across the top of the world." Increased access will bring more disputes, he predicted.
"The vehicle for the adjudication of those disputes will be the Law of the Sea," the CNO said, referring to an international treaty that has not been ratified by the Senate.
"We are not a party to that," Roughead lamented. "Decisions will be made that we will have no influence on. Myself and every one of my living predecessors have strongly endorsed becoming a party to that treaty. I think the time to do it is now.
"Nations are looking to us for leadership, and we are not there. We should agree to that treaty without delay," Roughead urged.
Source: Defense News
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