504 



I repeat that the actions taken at the U.N. were a part of a basic 

 thrust of trying to gain an understanding. We are not the only coun- 

 try in the world that has been following the ocean floor with a great 

 deal of interest. Malta has been trying for some time to make oceanog- 

 raphy a center of its economy. We are not in a position to deny to any 

 country the right to introduce a proposal and have it considered by the 

 U.N. 



Mr. Rogers. Of course we are not, but we did not have to instigate 

 it when the State Department has not even taken a position as to what 

 is permitted under present law. Also, I am not so sure that other depart- 

 ments of Government are in agreement with this nebulous no-man's 

 land or unknowing position on ownership. The Department of the In- 

 terior, I understand, has leased land off the west coast to depths of 

 4,000 feet. So I do not know but what the State Department is putting 

 us in a strange position, where the United States is leasing land and 

 you are telling us we do not even own it. Is that true ? 



Mr. Lennon. If the gentleman will yield, let us get into the record 

 the date of the introduction of the so-called Pardo resolution. As I re- 

 call it, it was in 1966 in the late summer or early fall. 



Mr. Popper. The request to include the Maltese item on the agenda 

 was contained in a letter dated August 17 and circulated by the Secre- 

 tary General on August 18 of this year. 



Mr. Lennon. Of this year ? 



Mr. Popper. Yes. 



Mr. Lennon. I ask that question because there was some suggestion 

 made by Mr. Goldberg last summer in anticipation of what was to 

 be the so-called Malta-Pardo resolution. I think that was discussed 

 in a meeting I attended earlier this year. 



Mr. Rogers. The point I was making was the United States in 

 mid-1966 asked for a study and activity in this whole field, and as 

 a consequence I think the Pardo-Malta resolution followed that. 



Let me ask you this : I will not pursue this ownership because I do 

 not think anybody in State knows the answer. How do you come to a 

 decision in the State Department on an official position ? Is it from this 

 ad hoc committee or the actions of Congress or the National Council ? 



Mr. Pollack. I think it is all of these, including consultations with 

 experts from industry and our universities and certainly the very large 

 participation of the agencies of Government that have responsibilities 

 in the ocean, such as the Navy and Interior Departments. 



Mr. Rogers. Who initiated this mid-1966 movement? I do not think 

 the Council initiated it. There was no request from Congress for it. 

 How did this ever get started ? 



Mr. Pollack. I would have to reconstruct. 



Mr. Rogers. I would be very much interested in how we can jump 

 into something like this without even knowing what the present 

 law is. 



Mr. Pollack. I think Ambassador Roosevelt was our representative 

 at that time. 



Mr. Rogers. As a matter of fact, I think he introduced it. 



This causes me great concern. I would hope the State Department 

 would reexamine its procedures and perhaps consult more with the 

 Congress in these matters. I would like if you could furnish for the 



