52 



Last December, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed 

 this study and asked the Secretary General to undertake in addition 

 a survey of activities in marine science and teclmology, including that 

 relating to mineral resources development, undertaken in the United 

 Nations or by member states and private bodies. The Secretary 

 General was dkected to formulate proposals for expanded mternational 

 cooperation in marine science and development and for improved 

 marine education and training programs. The Secretary General's 

 report will be made to the 23rd UN General Assembly session, just 

 a year from now. 



One of the most spectacular aspects of the new oceanography is the 

 prospect of the exploitation of mineral resources under the ocean 

 depths. Responding to this development there have been a number of 

 rather striking proposals regarding these resources. The most recent 

 proposal is that of the representative of Malta in tlie United Nations, 

 Ambassador Arvid Pardo, introduced for consideration at the current 

 General Assembly Session. 



Briefly, the Maltese proposal looks toward a treaty which would 

 reserve the ocean floor for peaceful pm-poses, establish an international 

 agency to assume jurisdiction over the deep ocean floor and its re- 

 som^ces, and set aside revenue from the exploitation of the ocean floor 

 for the benefit of developing nations. 



Like the other proposals on this subject, both governmental and 

 nongovernmental, the Maltese suggestion is an interesting approach 

 to a \\ddely recognized problem. We are fully studying its implications, 

 as we have been studying the implications of other approaches. There 

 seems no doubt that the various plans in this field reflect the relative 

 absence of international law wdth respect to the use of the deep ocean 

 floor. 



Interesting and suggestive as these ideas are, we would consider it 

 quite premature at this stage to espouse any particular type of arrange- 

 ment for the deep sea bed or to make any commitments \\dth respect 

 to a definitive legal regime for the ocean floor. 



We still know very little about this new environment. An intensive 

 process of study and discussion will be requu-ed before we shall be in 

 a position to express definitive views. The U.S. Government is still 

 in the process of developing its own policy objectives tlu-ough the 

 Marine Council Act of 1966. Consequently, we could not support the 

 treaty envisaged by Malta. 



Thus, the Subcommittee may be sure that we do not intend, in the 

 course of consideration of the question in this General Assembly, to 

 dispose of title to the deep sea bottom, either to the United Nations 

 or to any other recipient. We have made no agreement, disclosed or 

 undisclosed, wdth any foreign government or international organiza- 

 tion purporting to dispose of the deep ocean floor. 



We do intend to press onAvard \nth the acquisition of knowledge 

 and the development of legal studies regarding the ocean floor. We 

 shall do what we can to encourage scientific research on a national 

 and international basis, at an increasing tempo. We shall be alert to 

 any questions of national security, to the legitimate interests of 

 industry, and to the importance of maintaining the traditional freedoms 

 of the sea. We are aware of the promise which the oceans hold for 

 the benefits of man. 



