They consider that because the fate of the Antarctic is of interest to many coun- 
tries it would be expedient at the present time to discuss internationally the 
question of the regime for the Antarctic, having in view the achievement of an 
agreement such as would accord with the legitimate interests of all interested 
states. 
The Soviet Government for their part are prepared to examine any proposals 
of the interested governments both regarding the procedure for the discussion 
of this question and the nature of the regime for the Antarctic. 
1 This Soviet note contested the right of the Norwegian Government to annex 
Peter I Island. 
UNITED KINGDOM 
Area of Claim. 80° W. to 20° W. 
Dates of Claim. 1908, 1917 
Remarks. Known officially as the Falkland Islands Dependencies, the 
British claim includes all islands lying off the Antarctic as well as the main- 
land extending to the South Pole. This claim overlaps the entire Argen- 
tine claim and all the Chilean claim except the area between 90° W. and 
80° W. A considerable diplomatic correspondence has ensued between the 
Governments of the United Kingdom, Argentina, and Chile regarding 
these overlapping claims. In the case of Argentina, the point at issue has 
been merged with the much older dispute concerning the sovereignty of 
the Falkland Islands themselves. On May 4, 1955, the United Kingdom 
made unilateral applications to the International Court of Justice setting 
forth British title to the area and asking the Court to declare Argentine 
and Chilean “encroachments” illegal and void under international law. 
The Governments of Argentina and Chile, however, declined to accept 
the jurisdiction of the Court, and on 18 March 1956 the Court announced 
that both cases had been removed from the list of pending actions. 
Relevant documents. 
British Letters Patent of 1908 and 1917 Constituting the 
Falkland Islands Dependencies 
LETTERS PATENT OF 21 JULY 1908 
British Letters Patent appointing the Governor of the Colony of the Falkland 
Islands to be Governor of South Georgia, the South Orkneys, the South Shet- 
lands, the Sandwich Islands and Graham’s Land, and providing for the Govern- 
ment thereof as Dependencies of the Colony. — Westminster, July 21st 1908. 
Edward the Seventh, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great 
Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, De- 
fender of the Faith, Emperor of India: To all to whom these Presents shall come, 
Greeting. 
WHEREAS the group of islands known as South Georgia, the South Orkneys, 
the South Shetlands, and the Sandwich Islands, and the territory known as 
Graham’s Land, situated in the South Atlantic Ocean to the south of the 50th 
parallel of South latitude, and lying between the 20th and the 80th degrees of 
50 = 
