From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
U.S. unilaterally claims control of Papahanaumokuakea maritime area
This week President Obama declared a gigantic expansion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine Monument. While obviously significant in preservation of marine life and ocean ecological system, this unprecedented--and apparently unilateral--"sea grab" of over half a million square miles should certainly raise quite a few critical questions and eyebrows, regarding sovereignty, geo-political manipulation, and even military opportunism.
First off, the United States is not a member of the UNCLOS, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, that has been ratified by over 150 nations and generally regarded as the governing body in connection with international maritime affairs and consultation. So how is the U.S. able to unilaterally declare its control of such a large body of waters and islets(and with it, resource and mineral rights) within such a huge swath of heretofore unclaimed territory?
Secondly, it is precisely the U.S. that has recently and actively pushed the Philippine government to pursue a one-sided Arbitration against China(which is a UNCLOS signatory and has the right, within UNCLOS provisions, to abstain from such arbitration), regarding some South China Sea islets. Meanwhile, the U.S. aggressively sent nuclear armed gunboats to within 12 miles of China's claimed South Seas territories to challenge Beijing, and specifically condemned China for unilaterally declalring ownership of those territories. Isn't there a heavy dose of hypocrisy on the part of the USA government in grabbing the Papahanaumokuakea region?
Finally, there has been some "below-the-horizon" mention that indeed the US Navy is going to locate--as in the North Atlantic waters--an entire network of underwater sonars, to monitor potential submarines in the area. What is the geo-political fall-out from such militarization of this previously pristine area?
Secondly, it is precisely the U.S. that has recently and actively pushed the Philippine government to pursue a one-sided Arbitration against China(which is a UNCLOS signatory and has the right, within UNCLOS provisions, to abstain from such arbitration), regarding some South China Sea islets. Meanwhile, the U.S. aggressively sent nuclear armed gunboats to within 12 miles of China's claimed South Seas territories to challenge Beijing, and specifically condemned China for unilaterally declalring ownership of those territories. Isn't there a heavy dose of hypocrisy on the part of the USA government in grabbing the Papahanaumokuakea region?
Finally, there has been some "below-the-horizon" mention that indeed the US Navy is going to locate--as in the North Atlantic waters--an entire network of underwater sonars, to monitor potential submarines in the area. What is the geo-political fall-out from such militarization of this previously pristine area?
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
Well leaving aside the whole issue of the US having grabbed Hawaii in the first place, how do you see expanding the marine park as being in ANY way related to waters contested between neighboring countries?
Do you see any "neighboring countries" in the vicinity? For get within 12 miles, think 120 miles, or wait a minute, who has holdings within 1200 miles to contest this "grab". Kind of limited, eh?
Do you see any "neighboring countries" in the vicinity? For get within 12 miles, think 120 miles, or wait a minute, who has holdings within 1200 miles to contest this "grab". Kind of limited, eh?
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network