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The Marine Resources and Engineering Development Act of 1966, which 

 I mentioned a moment ago, was enacted after seven years of comprehensive 

 study by thf Congress in recognition of the extensive work that needed to be 

 done in all of the fields of which is generally referred to as "oceanography". 

 Recognition was given to the very problem which is the subject before you today. 



In section 4 (a)(5), the Marine Resources Act, among other things, imposes 

 a duty upon the President, with the advice and assistance of the Marine Resources 

 Council, to "undertake a comprehensive study * * * of the legal problems 

 arising out of the management, use, development, recovery, and control, of the 

 resources of the marine environment." 



Until this is done, we can have no possible way of knowing what we are dealing 

 with in connection with a proposal such as that submitted to the United Nations 

 by the government of Malta. 



Hearings which are presently being held by our Subcommittee on oceanography 

 are providing insight into the great strides we have been making in recent years 

 toward understanding of the environment of the world oceans. But while reflecting 

 great strides, these hearings are also emphasizing how little we presently know 

 and how much more we must learn, if we are to understand the scope and signifi- 

 cance of the resources of the oceans. 



Five-sevenths of the world's surface is covered by oceans, and the sea beds 

 beneath them contain untold wealth and resources which have yet to be discovered, 

 understood and exploited. We must not endanger or impair our future access to 

 these resources by a decision made in a moment of haste. 



In the light of the foregoing, I urge your approval and support of the sentiments 

 expressed in my bill, H.J. Res. 819, and the other resolutions before you so that 

 it will become eflfectively and fully clear that the United States is at this time 

 unalterably opposed to any action that would vest control of deep ocean resources 

 in any international body. 



Thank you very much for the opportunity to appear before you today. 



Statement by Hon. Jack Edwards, a Representative in Congress From the 

 State of Alabama, in Support of H.J. Res. 816 



The government of Malta has proposed in the United Nations General Assembly 

 an item providing in effect that jurisdiction and control of the seabed and the ocean 

 floor be given over to the U.N. The item secondly provides that net financial 

 benefit derived from exploitation of the ocean floor be used in the development of 

 the newly-developing countries. 



At first glance this idea might seem to be sensible. But there are at least three 

 major questions to be asked. 



First, are we, as one of the major scientific nations of the world, prepared to 

 renounce all claim to national benefits from the ocean floor before anyone knows 

 the actual extent of the resources existing there? If there are those among us who 

 believe that we should do this, then surely their case has not been made evident. 

 It is my feeling that if we were to make this kind of commitment, it would be an 

 act of gigantic folly. 



Second, is the United Nations prepared to vmdertake this kind of responsibility? 

 Many of us will answer in the negative. In my opinion, the United Nations has 

 not demonstrated, especially during these past several months, the kind of sta- 

 bility, responsibility, and effectiveness in dealing with international affairs that 

 appears to justify the placement of the proposed oceanography role on its 

 shoulders. 



Third, if the world's oceanography is to be turned over to the United Nations, 

 then who is actually to do the research and exploration? Are individual nations 

 to be expected to continue their separate oceanography programs only to turn 

 over all the results to the U.N.? Or, would this move require that every nation 

 bring a total stop to its oceanography plans, with the U.N. then proceeding to 

 set up its own research and exploration projects? 



It is apparent that the Malta proposal requires a most careful and thoughtful 

 inspection. I am gratified, and I know many of my fellow members of the Merchant 

 Marine and Fisheries Committee are also gratified, to know that the Department 

 of State does not support the Malta proposal. 



I believe it is important that the Congress make its voice heard in opposition 

 to the Malta proposal and I urge the Foreign Affairs Committee to take a strong 

 stand in this regard. 



