34 



light of the existing studies which have not yet even been completed. 



The other side ot that, however, seems to me to be that we are 

 already making decisions in international law every second, every 

 hour, every minute, every day. I am not sure I support or concur in 

 the action of the coastal states of the North Sea agreeing among them- 

 selves with respect to the exploitation of the resources of the North 

 Sea. What precedent does that set for othsr seas, oceans, and other 

 bodies of water? 



I am not ^ure that is best for the United States. Is not such an agree- 

 ment making international law? Are they establishing a precedent? 

 If we wait for studies, by the time W3 get through studyi ig the prob- 

 lem there won't be any res)urces left over which to exsrcise national 

 juiisdiction and sovereignty or to reach a new international agree- 

 ment thereon. 



I have grave reservations about the Malta proposal. I also have grave 

 reservations about studying the problem to death or w^aiting until it 

 automatically resolves itself by piecemeal decisions. 



Mr. Fountain. 



Mr. Fountain. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to say 

 that during this week, as an unbriefed, disoriented and inexperienced 

 delegate to the U.N., one of the first things I heard about when I got 

 there was a news story to the effect that we were planning to join other 

 nations in making disposition of these ocean beds to the United Na- 

 tions. I became a little frustrated because I realized I was wearing two 

 hats, one as a Member of Congress and another as one of the delegates 

 to the U.N. Yet, I felt compelled to express my opposition to such 

 action — should it be contemplated. 



In the meantime, I discovered that you had called for hearings — and 

 I want to congratulate you, Mr. Chairman, and also my fellow North 

 Carolinian, Congressman Lennon, for your alertness in calling them. 

 Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your calling me to tell me that hearings 

 would take place. 



Mr. Chairman, I was not here to respond by telephone. I was 

 preoccupied at the U.N. However, my presence here today is my 

 response. 



I am unalterably opposed to our giving away anything to anybody. 

 I don't know what our rights are and I don't know what our needs 

 will be in years ahead. I don't know what the situation_ will be. I 

 think this thing is ill-timed. Studies are being made. Here is the 

 resolution which has been referred to. A report is to be made to the 

 23d session. Insofar as I have been able to ascertain, in consultation 

 with delegates and our Ambassador to the United Nations, and also 

 representatives at the State Department, and from Mr. Popper's 

 statement given this morning — our Government has no intention of 

 giving our rights away to the U.N. or any other international or- 

 ganizations. 



It is my understanding that any position we take in the U.N. will 

 be more or less a matter of strategy, but consistent with the best 

 interests of this country. Frankly, I don't think it is a matter that 

 should be placed on the agenda of the United Nations at this time. 

 However, I'm sure our Government will protect our interest. That 

 will certainly be my aim. 



