the legal aspects. The whole committee discussed the other 

 matters. 



Working within severe constraints imposed by time and 

 diverse national interests and opinions, the Ad Hoc Committee 

 studied various aspects of the items and identified many of the 

 main problems. One of the most useful results of the meetings 

 was the qualitative and quantitive indication of the varying 

 degrees of acceptance of certain specific considerations relating 

 to the exploration, exploitation, and uses of the sea-bed. The 

 development of a scheme for the legal regulation of the ocean 

 floor and the activities of States was not within the charter of 

 the Ad Hoc Committee. It was, however, able to draft a state- 

 ment of broad principles upon which most nations could agree. 

 Thus the study made a significant contribution toward possible 

 ultimate agreement on positive action by the U. N. General 

 Assembly. 



The next three sections outline some of the major work 

 and findings of the Ad Hoc Committee on the three items listed 

 above. These are followed by a section and table of conclusions. 



Survey of Past and Present Activities 



The Committee collected all previous documents and re- 

 ceived additional documentation from the various agencies. It 

 was found necessary to revise some of these in light of issues 

 raised by the Legal Working Group. 



Account of Various Aspects 



Scientific Aspects. The Chairman of the Intergovernmental 

 Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO suggested that 

 the Ad Hoc Committee support a proposal to broaden the basis 

 of IOC in order to enable it to formulate and coordinate the 

 expanded program of oceanic research. It was suggested that 

 the broadening could relate to its structure, program, and field 

 of competence. These suggestions were supported with some 

 reservations. 



A proposal was submitted by the Secretary-General for an 

 expanded program of international cooperation to assist in a 

 better understanding of the marine envirnoment through sci- 

 ence. This was widely endorsed with the suggestion that other 

 programs be carefully taken into account. There were also 

 some questions about the financial implications of this program. 



The U. S. proposal for an International Decade of Ocean 

 Exploration was also discussed. It was emphasized that it was 

 only one element in a U. N. program of ocean research. Partic- 

 ipating nations, the IOC, and other agencies will play impor- 

 tant roles in determining and organizing exploration projects, 

 and underdeveloped countries will be aided so that they can 

 participate. Freedom of scientific research and exploration will 

 be sought but rights for exploitation will not necessarily be 



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