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Giuliani on Law of the Sea Treaty: ‘Fundamentally Flawed’

Rudy Giuliani added his name to the growing chorus of opposition to the Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST) today, just in time for tomorrow’s important Senate Foreign Relations Committee vote.

I oppose ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty. I believe the treaty is well intentioned, and I appreciate the hard work of U.S. negotiators who sought to resolve problems in the treaty first identified by President Reagan. I also understand the arguments of those – particularly in our military – who claim that this treaty will enhance America’s ability to guarantee freedom of the seas for all peace-loving nations.

But I believe that the treaty is fundamentally flawed. I cannot support the creation of yet another unaccountable international bureaucracy that might infringe on American sovereignty and curtail America’s freedoms. I oppose ratification of this treaty as long as it fails to address these concerns.

Although there’s virtually no hope of defeating LOST in committee tomorrow, all eyes will be on the Republican senators. Enough votes against the treaty could rally others to oppose it. Key senators to watch include John Sununu (N.H.), George Voinovich (Ohio), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Johnny Isakson (Ga.).

Presidential candidates have certainly done their part. Last week Sen. John McCain came out against the treaty, following Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee. Securing Giuliani’s opposition was important for several reasons, perhaps none more important than it shows even Giuliani’s pro-LOST advisers connected to former Secretary of State George Shultz were swayed to oppose ratification.