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tinental shelf in the last fifteen years the sum of $3.6 billion. That is one country 

 in respect of one pi'oduct alone. Should the international agency be established 

 and should revenues be approximately at the level vi'hich we estimate, the 

 international aid picture will be completely transformed. 



We also envisage the agency as the body with overall responsibility for keeping 

 the problem of ocean pollution under control. The useful work of existing 

 specialized bodies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Inter- 

 Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization and others would not be 

 jeopardized. Their collaboration would be solicited and their advice, if endorsed 

 by the agency, could be incorporated in an enforceable code of law for the 

 accepted use of the deep seas and of the ocean floor. We believe that the existence 

 and powers of the suggested agency should be founded on a treaty clearly 

 defining the outer limits of the continental shelf subject to national jurisdiction, 

 and establishing generally acceptable principles with regard to the use of the 

 deep seas and of the ocean floor. We are strongly of the opinion that the follow- 

 ing, among other principles, should be incorporated in the proposed treaty : 



"1. The sea-bed and the ocean floor, underlying the seas beyond the limits of 

 national jurisdiction as defined in the treaty, are not subject to national appro- 

 priation in any manner whatsoever. 



"2. The sea-bed and the ocean floor beyond the limits of national jurisdiction 

 shall be reserved exclusively for peaceful purposes. 



"3. Scientific research with regard to the deep seas and ocean floor, not directly 

 connected with defence, shall be freely permissible and its results available to 

 all. 



"4. The resources of the sea-bed and ocean floor, beyond the limits of national 

 jurisdiction, shall be exploited primarily in the interests of mankind, with par- 

 ticular regard to the needs of poor countries. 



".5. The exploration and exploitation of the sea-bed and ocean floor beyond 

 the limits of national jurisdiction shall be conducted in a manner consistent with 

 the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and in a manner not 

 causing unnecessary obstruction of the high seas or serious impairment of the 

 marine environment." 



There are other important principles which we could mention, but here again 

 I am aware that time presses. 



These are our long-term objectives. We realize that they cannot be achieved 

 either quickly or easily. We hope, however, that the General Assembly will at 

 its present session adopt a resolution embodying the following concepts : 



1. The sea-bed and the ocean floor are a common heritage of mankind and 

 should be used and exploited for peaceful purposes and for the exclusive benefit 

 of mankind as a whole. The needs of poor countries, representing that part of 

 mankind which is most in need of assistance, should receive preferential con- 

 sideration in the event of financial benefits being derived from the exploitation of 

 the sea bed and ocean floor for commercial purposes. 



2. Claims to sovereignty over the sea-bed and ocean floor beyond present 

 national jurisdiction, as presently claimed, should be frozen until a clear defini- 

 tion of the continental shelf is formulated. 



3. A widely representative but not too numerous body should be established 

 in the first place to consider the security, economic and other implications of 

 the establishment of an international regime over the deep seas and ocean 

 floor beyond the limits of present national jurisdiction ; in the second place, to 

 draft a comprehensive treaty to safeguard the international character of the 

 sea-bed and ocean floor beyond present national jurisdiction ; and in the third 

 place to provide for the establishment of an international agency which will 

 ensure that national activities imdertaken in the deep seas and on the ocean 

 floor will conform to the principles and provisions incorporated in the proposed 

 treaty. 



We have prepared a draft resolution embodying the points I have mentioned. 

 We are reluctant, however, to submit it oflBcially for consideration by this Com- 

 mittee. The question of the sea-bed and ocean floor beyond present national 

 jurisdiction is of a vital importance to all of us. It is also a matter in which 

 the concurrence of all is essential. We are not anxious, therefore, to engage pub- 

 licly in the usual controversv which often precedes the adoption of a resolution. 

 We do not wish to divide this Committee. We propose instead to appeal to moral 

 concepts, to reason and to well-understood national interest. I would accordingly 

 formally request you. Mr. Chairman, to appoint a small but widely representative 

 sroup to consult together and to elaborate a draft resolution which, we would 

 hope, may be acceptable to all, or at least to the great majority of Member 

 States. 



