73 



(1) Our knowledge of the extent of the deep-sea resources is as yet limited. — This is 

 true of the means of gaining access to these resources as well as of the conditions 

 for processing and marketing them. We do not know, either, at this point, how 

 activities connected with the extraction of those minerals will affect other uses of 

 the sea. 



(2) The United States has not yet developed national goals for ocean activities. — 

 The National Council for Marine Resources and Engineering Development and 

 the President's Commission for Marijie Science, Engineering and 1 resources are 

 currently attempting to identify and recommend such goals. Their report will be 

 ready, at the earliest, late in 1968. 



(3) Retardation of technological progress. — At this moment, oceanographic 

 technology is advancing rapidly. For example, we now have the capability to 

 recover oil from the sea bed at a depth of at least 200 meters, and soon we will Ije 

 able to go beyond that depth. But to go beyond 200 meters, a company would 

 have to ask U'.N. permission if that body controlled the resources. U.N. machinery 

 would hamper and delay technological progress. 



In summation, lack of complete knowledge of existing resources, lack of nationa 

 goals and discouragement of initiative due to luicertainies about U.N. procedures, 

 argue against any hasty move toward international control of deep sea resources. 

 Furthermore, to press for internationalization now as if it were the only solution, 

 is to ignore developments such as those in the North Sea. For example, countries 

 bordered by the North Sea have shown considerable maturity in their ocean- 

 connected dealings with each other. 



As signatories to the North Sea Treaty, they agreed that each has free access to 

 a certain ocean area off its coast. Through the mechanism of the Treaty, they have 

 created a middle-of-the-sea area, in which each of them may explore the ocean 

 through a licensing agreement. 



If countries in this and other areas of the world can make such agreements, 

 there is time to give a great deal more thought to the future disposition of the deep 

 sea resources. No hurried decision to internationalize them need thus be made. 



NOA realizes that some competent authorities believe that in the long run a 

 general agreement on the allocation of deep sea mineral reources may be necessary. 

 But first we ought to have more evidence that the U.N. has the capability to take 

 on such a vast and complicated task. 



If NOA can be of any assistance in providing additional information, we hope 

 you will let us hear from you. 

 Cordially, 



C. B. Hamm, Executive Director. 



Chamber of Commerce of the United States, 



Washington, B.C., September 21, 1967. 

 Hon. Dante B. Fascell, 



Chairman, Subcommittee on International Organizations and Movements, House 

 Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 

 Dear Mr. Fascell: On September 22nd, your Subcommittee will hold hearings 

 on House Joint Resolution 820, and other similar resolutions. These resolutions 

 have been introduced to oppose the United Nations' Malta Resolution, which 

 would give the United Nations "jurisdiction and control" over marine resources. 

 The National Chamber applauds the quick attention given to this issue by your 

 Subcommittee. 



In a September 14th letter to Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Allan Shivers, 

 President of the National Chamber of Commerce, expressed the Chamber's con- 

 cern over this issue and urged that the United States delegation oppose the 

 Malta Resolution. The arguments presented by President Shivers in his letter 

 clearly indicate that restraint is needed on any action that would confer title to 

 some of this nation's resources upon an international body. 



In accordance with this position, the National Chamber supports House Joint 

 Resolution 820, and similar resolutions. I would ask that this letter and the 

 enclosed copy of the letter from President Shivers both be included in the record. 

 Sincerely, 



Don a. Goodall, 

 General Manager, Legislative Action. 

 Enclosure. 



