206 



That is an incorrect statement as a matter of fact. 1 would prefer to 

 deal with some of the details of it in closed session, 



Mr. Fascell. I think it is common knowledge that many countries 

 of the world are using the deep ocean bed and other parts of the ocean 

 for military reasons. 



Mr. Frosch. Yes, I think that is correct. I think the item under para- 

 graph 3(c) is an area which does not deal directly with the military 

 problems so I only have a personal opinion on it rather than a profes^ 

 sional opinion, and it has some very great difficulties in it. 



Mr. Fraser. 3(c)? 



Mr. Frosch. Yes. 



Mr. Fraser. That reads: 



The use of the seabed and of the ocean floor, underlying the sea beyond the 

 limits of present national jurisdiction, and their economic exploitation shall be 

 undertaken with the aim of safeguarding the interests of mankind. 



Mr. Frosch. That doesn't say anything in particular. The second 

 half 



Mr. Fraser. "Exploitation of the seabed and of the ocean floor 

 shall be used primarily to promote the development of poor coun- 

 tries." 



Mr. Frosch. That could have some political difficulty and some pe- 

 culiar economic consequences. As a matter of personal opinion, if I 

 set out to write a phrase that if enacted by the United States would 

 slow down the exploitation of the seabed for the longest possible time 

 that is the phrase I would write. In fact the whole resolution would 

 be most likely to have precisely that effect. 



Mr. Fraser. To slow down the exploitation ? 



Mr. Frosch. Yes. 



Mr, Fraser, On the theory of what? 



Mr, Frosch. On the theory of who is likely to invest if he cannot 

 profit. 



Mr. Fraser. I don't know aljout that. We have some big, extensive 

 ore bodies in my State and the steel companies have found it enor- 

 mously useful to pay the State royalties where the ore body has been 

 found under State land. That money has gone to support our schools. 

 It has been a good deal for everybody. There has been no hesitation in 

 their exploiting it even when it involves State-owned lands. 



Mr. Frosch. I presume the steel companies are exploiting that ore 

 and making money from it although they may also be paying a very 

 useful royalty to the State. That is under a fairly explicit set of condi- 

 tions. 



Mr. Fraser. I assume this kind of concept must be involved. Nobody 

 will do anything if there is no profit in it. 

 Mr. Frosch. I am not making that assumption because I have heard 

 a number of interpretations of the paragraph that don't involve that 

 clearcut or legal situation. We have some problems with item D also 

 under 3 because peaceful purposes in perpetuity is so sweeping that it 

 is unclear what it allows and does not allow. 



Mr. Fraser. Do you have a detailed analysis of this resolution and 

 tlie problems that you would raise with it, of the kind that you have 

 been indicating here ? 



]\Ir. Frosch. No, I don't think I do. I am sure such an analysis 

 exists. I have seen several but I have uot developed one. 



