John D. Negroponte: “There is strong consensus that it is in our national interests to do so.”

I think security and rule of law, if I was going to say what are the real priorities for this program, our program, this national program towards Central America. I think that is where it ought to be.

In the absence of such international recognition and legal certainty, U.S. companies are unlikely to secure the necessary financing and insurance to exploit energy resources on the extended shelf.

Merely treating the Convention as customary law is not good enough.

We believe that disputed claims should be dealt with peacefully and without resort to any type of coercion.