July 29, 1970
Page 26289
SEABED CONVENTION
Mr. MUSKIE. President Nixon stated in late May that the United States favored a strong form of international authority over all areas of the seabed and subsoil of the high seas beyond a depth of 200 meters. This statement of policy provided an excellent framework for the extension of sound international law and cooperation in the uses of the ocean.
The President now has a rare opportunity to pursue this initiative by introducing a comprehensive proposal to carry out these objectives before the U.N. Seabeds Committee meets in Geneva early next month. I urge the President to seize this opportunity and reject the advice of those who fail to see the necessity of extending sound environmental and legal concepts to the deep ocean.
Unless sensible international arrangements are made shortly, spiraling demands on ocean resources and technological advances will make a shambles of this last untouched world resource.
The oceans are the common heritage of all men, and they should be the objects of world cooperation rather than world division.
First. An unqualified declaration that ocean seabeds and subsoil beyond the 200-meter boundary are the common heritage of all mankind;
Second. An unqualified prohibition against unilateral coastal state claims and unregulated exploitation beyond the 200-meter line;
Third. The unqualified reservation of international seabeds and subsoil for peaceful purposes only;
Fourth. The creation of a strong international authority to protect the marine environment and to regulate the exploration and exploitation of such areas
Fifth. A limitation on the rights of coastal States in areas beyond the 200-meter line to actions taken in concert with and largely for the benefit of the international authority.
The area between the 200 meter line and the base of the continental slope is of critical importance. It is here that the international authority must be strong. The zone should not extend beyond the recognized limits of the continental slope, and fees and payments received by the coastal State for development in this area should be turned over to the international authority for the benefit of all peoples.
Finally, both the international authority and the coastal State which may act on its behalf must establish strict environmental safeguards to preserve the life of the ocean.
From information that I have received, it appears that the proposal being developed within the executive branch is admirable in concept and in scope. I urge the President to take the fullest advantage of this opportunity to move forward in a field of utmost importance to the future of mankind.