495 



proposal? Would you say that the speeches on the subject and expres- 

 sions from the different nations are generally favorable to the idea 

 of international control of the ocean floor, or do they run in the oppo- 

 site direction ? 



Mr. Pollack. I will make a brief statement and ask Mr. Popper to 

 supplement it. 



I think the simplest answer is, the debate revealed no consensus of 

 any kmd with respect to the degree of control or disposition or regime 

 for the ocean floor. There was support for practically every point of 

 view imaginable. Will you supplement that? 



Mr. Popper. Yes, sir. What Mr. Pollack says is quite correct. I would 

 like to point out that in such a novel field it would be surprising if, 

 given the differing interests of different countries, you had any great 

 consensus at the beginning, and, in fact, the statements were on all 

 sides of this problem. There were about 47 statements. 



What happens in a case like this typically in the United Nations is 

 that they proceed rather slowly for obvious reasons, partly because 

 many countries do not yet know what they want. I think it might be 

 said that while we and many other countries have a fair idea of what 

 we do not want, we have a less clear idea of exactly what we do want 

 or what we would agree to at this stage. 



In a situation like this, what has happened this time is quite typical. 

 A resolution has been adopted in the First Committee by 93 votes in 

 favor with one abstention, and nobody voting against it. The reason 

 for this consensus is that the resolution proceeds very slowly indeed. It 

 simply sets up a committee which is, as you see from Mr. Pollack's 

 statement, asked to make a study including surveys and things of that 

 sort and some suggestions regarding practical means to promote inter- 

 national cooperation in the exploration, conservation, and use of the 

 ocean floor. So that what you will have is a committee of 35 countries 

 which, building upon the studies already in process in the United 

 Nations, will presumably throw up some ideas or some issues or some 

 proposals to the General Assembly that meets a year from now. And in 

 that Assembly, the members will be able with greater precision to 

 tackle some of the problems that we see emerging as we talk about this 

 subject now. 



The point I would like to make is that, first, it is a very slow process. 

 It is bound to take a year or two or three to come to grips with the 

 problem. Second, if we follow the pattern we have used in outer space 

 and disarmament, we will proceed by consensus, by agreement, rather 

 than by taking votes and overriding the opposition of any considerable 

 body of countries. 



Mr. Dow. It is well known that the Soviet Government is interested 

 in exploiting the oceans for fishing purposes and so on. Have they 

 actually delved into the ocean floor, do you know, beyond the territorial 

 waters of the Soviet Union ? 



Are they active in this area or have they manifested interest in this 

 subject? 



Mr. Pollack. I do not believe I have run into any references of any 

 unusual interest on the part of the Soviet Union at this point in time 

 in going after the nonliving resources of the ocean. 



Have you, Mr. Brittin ? 



