FOREWORD 



Although our times are often characterized as the Space Age as a 

 result of man's flight to the moon, they might also be characterized as 

 the Sea Age because for the first time human beings have begun to 

 explore below the waters of the world. The imier-space "regime" of 

 the seabed has become the object of intense economic, legal and political 

 interest. This interest is almost directly the result of the increasing 

 capability of nations to exploit the natural resources which lie be- 

 neath the sea. 



It is entirely appropriate, therefore, that the series of reports on 

 Science, Techiioloay^ and American Di'ploma,cy being sponsored by the 

 House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on National Security Policy and 

 Scientific Developments should include a monograph on seabed issues. 

 This contribution is the work of George A. Doumani, specialist in earth 

 sciences and oceanography with the Science Policy Research Division, 

 Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress. 



Professionally, Mr. Doumani is a geologist whose background in- 

 cludes field experience with the petroleum industry, and geological and 

 geophysical exploration on several expeditions to the south polar 

 region. He joined the Library's Science Policy Research Division in 

 1966, following the passage of the Marine Resources and Engineering 

 Development Act, and has since been providing assistance on legis- 

 lation for ocean affairs. 



Mr. Doumani is a member of a special task force of analysts in the 

 Congressional Research Service which is conducting the study for the 

 Subcommittee. The task force is headed by Dr. Franklin P. Huddle, 

 specialist in science and technology of the Science Policy Research 

 Division, with Mr. Warren R. Johnston, specialist in international 

 politics of the Foreign Affairs Division, as associate director. 



"Exploiting the Resources of the Seabed" surveys the present and 

 potential resources of the seabed, defines the issues that concern nations 

 over the economic and military effects of seabed exploitation, and 

 looks to problems of managing its resources for the mutual benefit of 

 all mankind. The report provides a vivid and significant case study of 

 the interaction of technological advances with modern diplomacy in a 

 manner calculated to increase our understanding of the proper rela- 

 tionship between scientist and statesman in their common effort to- 

 ward a world of peace and plenty. 



Clement J. Zablocki, 

 Chairman^ Subcommittee on National Security Policy and 



Scientific Developnuents^ Gonwrdttee on Foreign Affairs. 



(in) 



