109 



COMMONWEALTH OF 



THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS 



Statement of Jesus C. Borja 



June 1, 1995 



Under international law, the general rule is that nations 

 with overseas territories or associated states do not claim a 

 proprietary interest in, or jurisdiction over, the fisheries re- 

 sources of the exclusive economic zone of such an area unless the 



citizens of that area are given full and equal representation in 



18 

 the national government. This norm is reflected in the United 



Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Convention is open 



for signature by less than fully sovereign dependencies, includ- 



19 

 ing self-governing states and territories. ' At the same time, 



the Convention makes clear that, with regard to territories which 



have not attained "self-governing status recognized by the United 



Nations," the "provisions concerning rights and interests under 



the Convention shall be implemented for the benefit of the people 



of the territory with a view to promoting their well-being and 



development . " 



18 T. Franck, Control of Sea Resources by Semi-Autonomous 

 States (1978). 



19 Sec. 305(1). 



20 Resolution III. This resolution was adopted as an integral 

 part of the Convention, is annexed to the Final Act of the Third 

 United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, and is part of 

 the Final Act of the Conference. 



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