Ocean), as an extension of Russia's outer continental shelf. Just last year, it conducted further exploratory missions in support of its claim.13 The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that about one quarter of the world's undiscovered oil and natural gas lies beneath Arctic waters.14 Under the LOS Convention, the five nations surrounding the Arctic have ten years to submit claims to the As Secretary Arctic seabed.15 Negroponte testified, "as a non-party, the United States is not in a position to maximize its sovereign rights in the Arctic or elsewhere."16
FOOTNOTES
Weir, "As icecaps melt, Russia races for Arctic's resources", Christian Science Monitor, July 31, 2007; www.csmonitor.com/2007. 14 Kelly at p. 6. 15 Struck, "Russia's Deep-Sea Flag-Planting at North Pole Strikes a Chill in Canada", Washington Post, August 7, 2007; www.washingtonpost.com. 16 Negroponte at 7.
13
17 18
Testimony of Negroponte, supra, at 14-20. Id. at 14. Emphasis added.
Opposing Views
There are those who continue to oppose the Law of the Sea Treaty, including a number of Republican Senators, above. The President of the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the President and CEO of the Center for Security Policy also testified in opposition to U.S. participation. Their arguments primarily relate to protecting U.S. sovereignty and fears that U.S. interests will be subjugated to international organizations. Their arguments are largely debunked by Deputy Secretary Negroponte.17 For example, he counters their arguments by stating, "[The Treaty] expands U.S. sovereignty and sovereign rights over extensive maritime territory and natural resources off its coast...It is rare that a treaty actually increases the area over which a country exercises Sovereign rights, but this treaty does."18 On balance, the interests of the United States, especially in a secure energy supply and maintaining its superpower status, are best protected inside the Convention not outside it. The U.S. needs a seat at the Commission's table to present its best evidence for extended continental shelf and Arctic resource claims.
www.seadiscovery.com Marine Technology Reporter 19
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