'Seas but join the regions they divide." — ^Alexander pope 



Chapter II 



EXPANDING INTERNATIONAL 

 COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING 



The oceans from earliest times have been bonds of commerce and culture. 

 Historic relationships are changing, however, accelerated by advances in 

 maritime technology that enable nations to conduct activities farther from 

 home and in deeper water, and to exploit previously inaccessible resources. 



As various national interests in ocean activities converge, international 

 agreements and cooperation will be increasingly needed to reduce conflict 

 and rivalry and to advance world order, understanding, and economic de- 

 velopment at home and abroad. The United States has accordingly intensi- 

 fied its efforts to promote international cooperation to attain our major 

 foreign policy goal of establishing a stable and lasting peace. 



A multi-national approach to the peaceful uses of the sea is not only 

 desirable but necessary because of the inherently international character of 

 scientific study of the sea and the common property aspect of deep ocean 

 resources. The very size, complexity, and variability of the marine environ- 

 ment emphasize the importance of collaboration. 



As a basis for harmonious international marine exploration and resource 

 development, certain premises underlie our policies and programs: 



Our knowledge of the seas and their resources is exceedingly limited; 

 the necessary scientific investigations are so vast that international 

 collaboration is essential if knowledge of this environment is to 

 increase within a meaningful period. 



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