While LOST proponents argue that the United States will choose available arbitration mechanisms to avoid legal decisions from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or the International Tribunal for the Lawof the Sea (ITLOS), such arbitration panels are no-less perilous for U.S. interests as the decisive, "swing" arbiters would be appointed by generally unfriendly UN-affiliated bureaucrats.
In this context, we underscored the importance of maritime security, freedom of navigation and over flight, unimpeded lawful commerce, respect for internationallaw, continued constructive dialogue and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the universally recognized principles ofinternationallaw, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Lawof the Sea (UNCLOS).