15 



my visit to the Law of the Sea Conference in New York not too 

 long ago. 1 



Mr. Malone. Indeed. I have it, Mr. Gilman. 



Mr. Gilman. What I am saying to you is that there are a number 

 of us in the Congress who are concerned and would like to support 

 a reasonable treaty. We are concerned that unnecessary delay may 

 have an adverse effect on some of the important advantages that 

 we have already obtained in some very lengthy and sensitive nego- 

 tiations. 



I would like to ask one question, if I might. What is the status of 

 the negotiations between the United States and others — Japan, 

 Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Nether- 

 lands, and reciprocating states — on the provisions contained in sec- 

 tion 118 of the Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Resources section of 

 the conference in 1980? 



Mr. Malone. There have been discussions and meetings in this 

 connection with a view toward implementing the Deep Seabed 

 Hard Minerals Act, Congressman Gilman. That is ongoing at the 

 present time. 



Mr. Gilman. A few years ago there was a short-lived rumor that 

 the United States and others might try to develop a minitreaty. Is 

 there such a possibility? Is there something of that nature in the 

 works? 



Mr. Malone. As I responded to your earlier question, Congress- 

 man Gilman, of course we are considering a full range of possibili- 

 ties in our review, but I don't believe at this time we would be in a 

 position to discuss all of the options that we have under considera- 

 tion. 



Mr. Gilman. On page 5 of your testimony you state that the 

 Enterprise could eventually monopolize production on seabed min- 

 erals. I am wondering how that would be possible, in view of the 

 fact that the proposed seabed authority is to be structured accord- 

 ing to a parallel system on which there is substantial consensus 

 and which, in turn, meant that the Third World would not have a 

 monopoly. 



Mr. Malone. As I mentioned in- my statement a little bit further 

 on down on the same page, of course, after 20 years a review 

 conference could put that eventuality, Congressman Gilman. It is 

 something that we feel is a potential disadvantage which we must 

 carefully consider. 



Mr. Gilman. I believe that my time has expired. I thank you, 

 Mr. Ambassador, and thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Chairman Zablocki. The gentleman from Washington, Mr. 

 Pritchard. 



Mr. Pritchard. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Malone, how do we operate in this country when we are in 

 negotiations with other countries that run over quite a number of 

 years and involve a number of administrations? 



What policy should be followed by an administration that may be 

 the fourth one involved in negotiations which have agreed to cer- 

 tain things, working toward a goal? Then we have an election. Do 

 we start over from scratch? How do other countries deal with this? 



^ee appendix 8, p. 104, for Mar. 6, 1981, letter from Members of Congress to Secretary Haig and 

 Mr. Malone's response of Apr. 3, 1981. 



