465 



In his second Foreign Policy Report, issued on February 25, 1971, the President 

 of the United States suggested that the following essential measures be taken by 

 the international community in the near future : 



Identification of pollutants and other ecological hazards ^yhich are dangerous 

 on a global scale. 



Establishment of an effective world monitoring network to keep track of these 

 environmental dangers. 



Initiation of a global information system to facilitate exchange of experience 

 and knowledge about environment problems. 



Establishment of internationally accepted air and water quality criteria and 

 standards. 



Development of international guidelines for the protection of the environment. 



Achievement of comprehensive international action programs to prevent further 

 environmetal deterioration and to repair the damage already done. 



Development and improvement of training and education programs to provide 

 the skilled capability to meet the environmental challenge. 



Almost all of these suggestions apply with special urgency to the marine 

 environment. In particular we need to focus our attention on drafting articles on 

 major problems relating to marine pollution. 



In identifying such problems, we should acknowledge work accomplished by 

 IMCO concerning oil spills from ships, FAO and its technical conference of 

 December 1970 dealing with issues of marine pollution on living resources of 

 seas and expected contributions of the 1972 Stockholm Conference. Examples of 

 major areas of concern might include the following: 



A. Such international machinery as may be required for determining marine 

 pollution research priorities, for coordinating research efforts, and for collecting 

 research infromation and arranging for its exchange. 



B. Regulation of deliberate disposal of materials into the ocean. 



We recommend that drafting of articles begin promptly. In the preparation of 

 draft articles we should seek assistance as required from the appropriate special- 

 ized agencies and other public and private international organizations active in 

 the field. Experts from these organizations should participate in a consultative 

 capacity. Similarly, we believe that our preparatory work should be closely 

 coordinated with the related work for the Stockholm Conference. We should avoid 

 duplication. In particular, should some parallel working group be established by 

 the committees engaged in the preparatory work for the two conferences, a 

 member of the bureau of each group should be invited to participate in the other 

 group. 



I would like to emphasize again the complexity of the issues before us, the 

 need to take into account other efforts in this area, and the importance of tailor- 

 ing each solution to the special requirements of each particular problem. 



I turn now to the second of the two subjects assigned to Subcommittee III, 

 scientific research. 



The United States has long identified itself with the need to expand world 

 efforts in scientific research of the oceans. Our initiative calling for an Interna- 

 tional Decade of Ocean Exploration exemplifies that posture. We consider that 

 scientific research should not be interferred with and should be conducted with 

 the view to open publication for the benefit of all. We whole-heartedly support the 

 applicable principle stated in the Declaration of Principles (Resolution 2749) 

 which states in relevant part: "States shall promote international cooperation 

 in scientific research exclusively for peaceful purposes . . . through effective 

 publication of research programs and dissemination of the results of research 

 through international channels". I have discussed already some forms of coopera- 

 tion we favor in connection with preservation of the marine environment and 

 marine pollution. In general, it is our belief that cooperation in scientific research 

 in the marine environment will help ensure that the oceans will be developed and 

 used in ways which will benefit mankind. Through increased knowledge we can 

 all better understand the oceans and make optimum use of their resources. 



We recognize the particular interest of developing countries in learning how the 

 seas may help solve such problems as chronic shortfalls of protein for their 

 populations ; how fresh water may be obtained from the sea : how weather may 

 be modified to improve crop porduction and to avoid such catastrophes as ram- 

 paging hurricanes ; and how new, inexpensive energy sources might be tapped. 

 Answers to such questions will require further scientific activity and coopera- 

 tion in the period ahead. 



