On April 30, 1982, the United Nations voted to adopt the Law of the Sea treaty that had been under negotiation for more than 10 years. The tally was 130 in favor, four opposed, and 17 ab- staining. The United States was one of the four states in opposi- tion. In the aftermath of this vote, proponents and opponents of the treaty began wielding their pens, variously campaigning to reverse or to reinforce the U.S. position.
By December, when 143 national delegations gathered at Montego Bay, Jamaica,...