| Once again, the seas are the stage for events | | | | "Member States to inspect and destroy all banned |
| with global implications. This time, it could be war | | | | cargo to and from that country [Democratic |
| or peace. | | | | People's Republic of Korea]--on the high seas, at |
| Much of the world holds its breath as reports of | | | | seaports and airports--if they have reasonable |
| continued nuclear testing in North Korea make | | | | grounds to suspect a violation." |
| headline news. For years, we have heard | | | | President Obama's order to the United States |
| rumblings of possible nuclear weapon development | | | | Navy is to track suspected vessels, hail them, and |
| in this country, but with recent activity, the | | | | ask permission to inspect the cargo. If permission |
| question has been answered--North Korea has | | | | to board and search is denied, the ship will |
| nuclear weapons, and they are not afraid to use | | | | continue to be tracked, and every attempt will be |
| them or sell them. | | | | made to ensure that inspections will be carried out |
| According to an article by David A. Sanger | | | | by any country allowing the ship to dock at its |
| appearing in the June 15, 2009 online edition of the | | | | ports. This policy stops just short of forcibly |
| The New York Times, "North Korea has | | | | inspecting suspect vessels. North Korea has |
| disavowed its past commitments to give up | | | | avowed that any forced inspection shall be |
| those [nuclear] weapons, and said it would never | | | | considered an act of war, and they will respond |
| bow to the demands of the United States, its | | | | with military action. |
| allies, or the United Nations.... The North said it | | | | Not long ago, the world was focused on piracy |
| would reprocess its remaining stockpile of spent | | | | and safety at sea. Now, the worries center on |
| nuclear fuel into plutonium, adding to an existing | | | | North Korea's transportation of arms and nuclear |
| stockpile believed sufficient to make six or eight | | | | technology by sea, as well as potential conflicts |
| weapons." | | | | over inspecting North Korean ships, including |
| These statements have increased global fears | | | | possible military action--maybe even war. |
| that North Korea's current status as a desperate, | | | | Could war and peace around the globe be decided |
| hurting country may lead them to put more of | | | | on the seas? How the world powers choose to |
| their nuclear and missile technology on the sale | | | | react toward North Korea's activities on global |
| block. The transportation of these nuclear sales is | | | | seas could determine at least some of humanity's |
| predominantly by sea. According to United Nations | | | | survival. How the world powers choose to use |
| document #SC/9679, the United Nations Security | | | | and protect our seas will certainly affect |
| Council recently passed a resolution allowing | | | | humanity's future. |