50 



is that old expression about one's position being determined by wliose 

 ox is being gored? 



Mr. Gross. That is the way it was handled in the offshore oil 

 legislation. 



Mr. Frelinghuysex. If I only had realized that New Jersey could 

 really claim title to half the undersea resources to Bermuda, I might 

 have had a different attitude toward this offshore oil situation. 



Mr. Fascell. Thank you very much. We appreciate your giving 

 us the time. 



Mr. Rogers. Thank you. 



Mr. Fascell. Patiently standing by to express the views of our 

 Government, we have our Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for 

 International Organization Affairs, the Honorable David H. Popper. 

 The discussions were lengthy and I hope helpful but we do appreciate 

 your patience here this morning. 



We are delighted to hear from you now officially as to the views of 

 our Government. 



STATEMENT OF DAVID H. POPPER, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRE- 

 TARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION 

 AFFAIRS 



Mr. Popper. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Far from taxing my pa- 

 tience, I must say it has been an extremely illuminating discussion, it 

 seems to me. It not only indicates the great interest of many Mem- 

 bers of Congress, as does this hearing itself, but it indicates, I think, 

 a kind of serious probing for the way in which we should get into what 

 is really, as has been said, a new round, a new area, where so many 

 unfathomable discussions— to use a term that has some connection 

 with oceanography — may occur and where we all realize the need for 

 caution and prudence and a lot of careful thought before we foreclose 

 any options at aU. 



I have a statement, Mr. Chairman, which takes about 10 minutes 

 to read and I would like to ask you whether you would rather have 

 me summarize it or read it all. 



Mr. Fascell. Take your time, Mr. Popper; proceed as you wish. 



Mr. Popper. All right. 



Mr. Fascell. If we can get everybody to listen now we will be all 

 right. 



Mr. Popper. In that case I will read it. 



The subcommittee has requested the views of the Department of 

 State with respect to H.J. Res. 816 and similar resolutions in opposi- 

 tion to vesting title to the ocean floor in the United Nations. I appre- 

 ciate the privilege of appearing before the subcommittee to discuss 

 these resolutions and to indicate the attitude of the Department of 

 State to them. 



In recent years there has been a marked upsurge of interest in 

 marine science, as the vast potential of the oceans for the well-being 

 of mankind has come to be more fully recognized. This interest has 

 been manifest in the United States: the 89th Congress responded to 

 it by passing the Marine Resources and Engineering Development 

 Act of 1966 to provide the framework for expanded marine science 

 activities. 



