I hope that from my remarks about this incident and about the almost total disappearance of the U.S.-owned and -flagged fleet that you will agree with me that the consequences of the maritime movement towards flags of convenience were, and continue to be, truly deplorable. Why the U.S. government has allowed all of this to occur and remain largely unknown to most of the American public is a question to which I have no answer. But apart from the sad state of the U.S. merchant marine and international maritime law, I also hope you will agree with me that if allowing NAI to obtain U.S. operating authority represents even the most modest first step towards flags of convenience in international aviation, we must urge the DOT to promptly and decisively reject NAI's application. NAI may follow the example set by United Fruit back in the 1960s and appeal the DOT's decision to the courts. But this time, unlike fifty years ago, we have the knowledge and experience of just how dreadful the consequences can be of taking even a modest step in the direction towards flags of convenience in international aviation.
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