UN Law of the Sea Arbitration Tribunal Sinks the Rule of Law

canadafreepress.com ^ | 7/19/2016 | Joseph A. Klein

[rktman]

The international arbitration tribunal, constituted under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (“UNCLOS”), issued its final Award on July 12th in the so-called “compulsory” arbitration instituted by the Republic of the Philippines against the People’s Republic of China. The Philippines had sought rulings on a number of issues, including the source of the parties’ rights and obligations in the South China Sea and the effect of UNCLOS on China’s claims to historic rights within its claimed ‘nine-dash line.’ The tribunal’s decision found in the Philippines’ favor on these two key issues, and most others that had been raised by the Philippines.

[rktman]

Hmmm. Seems like the 'unclos' has been under the radar and above the sonar for quite a while now. Anytime a 'U' and an 'N' are used together, it's usually bad news for the U.S. Hey Donald, if you're reading FReepublic this morning, we'd really, really like to hear you say the U.S. is withdrawing from the u.n. Thanks.

[MeganC]

In short a war will be required to stop the f***ing Chinese from stealing everything within their reach. Look for those bandits to land on the main Phillipine islands within the next few years, invade Taiwan, and probably even invade Indonesia, Borneo, and Brunei.

China is intent on creating their own ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere’ and nothing short of war will deter them from that course.

[Paulie]

Good for the Philippines, for now, but eventually they and everyone else will rue the day they allowed the UN to be anything more than a loose social organization.

The UN is nothing if not a totalitarian pseudo governing body.

[rktman]

Can’t remember if the senate ratified the ‘LOST’ or not. I seem to remember they did not. Of course I could be wrong. Just ask Mrs. rktman. :)

[fella]

A quick look at a map locating the reefs and islets in question reveal them to be far closer to the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei than to China.

[wideminded]

Seems like a Law of the Sea Treaty would have at least helped to prevent a lot of the issues that are coming up with China now. Without a treaty, what is to stop China from just continuing to claim more ocean territory?

One of the only things that stands in their way is the U. S. Navy. The Navy is in favor of the treaty.