THIRD SESSION THIRD COMMITTEE PROVISIONAL SUMMARY RECORD OF THE TWENTY-FIRST MEETING HELD AT THE PALAIS DES NATIONS, GENEVA, ON THURSDAY, 17 APRIL 1975, AT 9.55 A.M.
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CIA-RDP82S00697R000400050034-4
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Publication Date:
April 21, 1975
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PRO`JISIONAL: FOR PMT'21CIPAi:i`.CS ONLY
THIRD C ONB'ERENCJ
ON TIT LAW OF THE SEA
Distr.
PESTRICTED
21 April 1.1975
Original.: ENGLISH
Third. Session
TIIT 1) COI?1?II`.T`i'Til:;
PROVISIONAL NIA 4RY RT;COII]) Oi `L'Ii , 'i~l'T.t : 11y..I:~LRk~'' ME TING
held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva,
on Thursday, 17 April 1975, at 9.55 a.m.
C'r~.a:iman: Mr. YANKOV Bulgaria
M?~Ilate : Mr. OSPII:TA Colombia
Ita,r, oa i r2?.s : Mr . 1~il~:~IYAITG Sudan
COII'MI'1'S
Organization of Vork
Preservation of the marine environment (continued)
and.
Marine scientific research
Gontinuod
N.B. Participa?~xt: tr_LshinF to have correction to this provisional suannexy record
incorporated in the final summac r record of the meeting ai'e requested to
submit them in rritinc, in quacl-ruplicate, pre erau=l_y on a copy of the record
itself, to the OJ'ficiwl :'Records :Editing Section, room 3D.4.100, Palnd.s des Nations,
Geneva, within five wox'Iinr, C:#;:V`_ of :c'ocei"J:'_ng the provi,,iional reco:cd in then
Working language.
A/CONT. 62/C21
GE,.75?-64,730
State Dept. review completed
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ORGAI?TZATION OF IdORI,
The CHAT -.i?LUT said that he had made a report to the General Committee at its
11th meeting concerning the methods of wori of the Third Committee. He had affirmed
that the procedural pattern adopted at Caracas and followed at the current session had
proved adequate for the negotiating process and for drafting articles. All delegations
had been involved in the negotiations, which had been under the strict supervision of
the Committee as a whole. Efforts had been mace, with some success, to draw up
compromise texts. The results achieved by the small drafting parties or negotiating
groups had. always been submitted to the Committee at a subsequent informal meeting.
He accordingly assumed that the Committee saw no reason to change the procedural
pattern; of course, it had to be viewer in a dynamic way, so that it could. be amended
if the need arose.
He had also drawn the General Committee's attention to the need to avoid scheduling
meetings of informal groups at the same time as meetings of the Committee itself, which
necessarily took precedence.
?liE EiN]:ROINi' ANT continued and
PRE ;SRVAT'ION OF `.SIT I Ikli
IJAIZ1IP SCIENTIFIC ilE?SUA CH (continued)
Mrs. SAUVn (Canada) said that, an her country's Minister of the Environment,
she had a, direct interest in the work of the third Committee. Iloreover, she was deeply
concerned as a human being at the pressing problem of preserving the marine environment
and preventing pollution within it before its degradation reached the point of no.
return -- which might barmen within 50 years unless strong preventive measures were
taken. Already mo:o than five years had b on spent in attempting to produce agreed
treaty rules imposing obligations on States to preserve the marine environment. The
need for agreement was urgent. Although encouraging progress had been made in
formulating draft articles on certain issues, the was alarmed at how much remained to
be done.
Her Government was deeply committed to a negotiated solution to the problemt facing
the Conference. Like all other Governments however, it expected tangible results from
the negotiations. :[f the Conference was unable, after years of preparatory work and so
many weeks of negotiations, to produce at least a single text of draft treaty articles
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which could serve as a basis of future negotiations, the consequences might be very
serious. Many Governments, including her own, might feel compelled to take matters
into their own hands. She was not forecasting any such action by her Government but,
on the basis of discussions with other delegation.::, she believed that the possibility
could not be ruled out on the part of many Governments.
The objective was clear. Both the direction of the work and the means of
carrying it forward had been laid, down at the Stockholm Conference in 1972 in the
Declaration on the Wan Environment and. in the statement of objectives for the
management of ocean space and the 23 principles on the preservation of the marine
environment which had been endorsed in Recommendation 92 of tW "-oference. Those
principles and objectives must be embodied in a global trea~, Loa was crucial to
man's survival but even the sea could die if the laissez-faire regime which had
prevailed in the past was not abandoned..
. The statement of objectives concerning the marine environment that had been
endorsed by the StoclOaolm Conference surely provided the starting point, the guidelines
and the final goal of the deliberations of the Third Committee. That statement
emphasized the vital importance of the marine environment and the need for proper
management and for measures to prevent and control marine pollution. It provided the
rationale for the concept of the 200--mile economic zone on which the success of the
Conference depended. That concept did not relate simply:to control of resources: the
support of her delegation and of many others for the economic based on
recognition of the fact that environmental management was inseparable from resource
management. Accordingly, there could be no question of a trade-off of environmental
objectives against resource objectives or vice versa.
The statement of objectives applied equally. to the area of the sea bed beyond
national jurisdiction. It was the only basis on which the principle of the common
heritage of mankind ' could he translated into agreed treaty provisions. In her view,
that principle implied common responsibility for the preservation of the. marine
environment as Principles I and. 5 on the marine environment adopted at Stockholm
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stated. Furthermore, Principle 21 laid down that States had the responsibility to
ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control did not damage the
environment: of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.
The two basic concepts upon which the Conference was building a consensus were
necessarily both environmentally-oriented and resource-oriented. They represented
a development of the principles agreed upon at Stockholm, and required a radical
change from the old laissez-faire system to one of rational management.
There was one subject which was bound up with both environmental protection and.
the transfer of marine technology, the question of "double standards". Her
delegation contended that it was both necessary and possible to strike a proper
balance between effective measures for the preservation of the marine environment and
recognition of the special needs and problems of the developing countries. If there
was to be a workable convention, it would be futile to impose a burden on the
developing countries which they could not assume: they were not trying to evade their
general environmental obligations, but rather looking for some way of accepting their
full share of the common responsibility for man's survival. The best way of helping
them to do that was the transfer of technology and the provision of assistance so that
they could, on the one hand, benefit from the :rights that they would acquire under the
now convention and, on the other hand, meet thei obligations, including those
relating to scientific research. Canada, like many other countries, was already
involved in a number of bilateral and regional programmes in the transfer of marine
technology, and hoped to continue and expand them.
She was deeply sympathetic to the view of the developing countries that they
could not afford to assume the additional environmental costs over and above the heavy
burden of development costs. As matters stood., however, many developing countries
were leading the way in striving to balance their economic needs and environmental
objectives. The issue wab not whether the world could afford the cost of preserving
the marine environment, but :rather whether it could afford the cost of not doing so.
She had no doubt about the answer; the problem was when and how to take the necessary
measures.
A/COT??. 62/C . 5 /SR . 2l
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She urged all delegations to act with ' the utmost speed in producing draft
articles on the preservation of the marine environment. No issue before the
Conference was of higher priority: if there, was a criticism to be made of the
deliberations of the Conference, it was that too much attention had been focused on
other issues.
Mr.JATN (India) congratulated the representative of Canada on hex.
statement and particularly- on her references to the need to consider the developing
Gauntries' intorestsa in 'discussions on environmental questions. The provisions on
the preservation of the marine environment should. be so framed as to make it
pr..~+.cta cable for developing countries to implement them. I+`urthexsnore, the question
of the cost of measures needed serious consideration.
Draft articles on marine scientific research (item 13) (A/CONI, . 62/`C. 3IL.26) (continued;)
The CHMI3MM10 suggested that, in view of the length of?.the list of speakers,
they should limit their statements to five minutees each.
It was so rae'reed.
Mr_.~-1-1AL1 11TFF; (Netherlands) said that his delegatioii appreciated the
comprehensiveness of the draft -articles in document A/CONF.62./C.3/L.26. The'
proposal- that the conduct of marine scientific research on the continental shelf should
be subject to the'saxne conditions as in the economic zone was an interesting one.
The crucial question was whether a distinction should be made between scientific
research .related to the exploration and exploitation of living and'non--living
marine resources and scientific research not so related. His delegation was anxious
to discuss that issue 'further.. He was glad to note that the sponsors of
document A/CON.F'.62/C.3/L.26 were advocating a notification system for scientifi.6.
research not related to exploration and exploitation, an idea, taken from
document A/CONF'.62/C.3/L.l9 which his delegation had sponsored, and which had, in turn,
been. inspired by a resolution of the Intergovernmental Oce'anogrephi.c ConnlrLScion..
However, the conditions laid down in document A/CONF.62/C.3/L.26'for such research
were not identical with those in the earlier proposal; for one thing, a better
ba,l.an.ce should be struck between the interests of the coastal' and the research
States. She was sure that the land-locked and geographically disadvantaged States
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which had sponsored document A/CONF.62/C.3/L.19 were gratified to find that the
new proposal contained an article relating to their interests, but its text could
be improved..
One serious omission from the draft articles (A/CONI,'.62/C.3/L.26) was a
satisfactory procedure for the settlement of disputes. In that connexion, two
conditions had to be fulfilled: the research State and the coastal State should,
whatever regime was adopted, treat each other as equals when settling any disputes,
and disputes should be settled within a reasonable time. His delegation, together
with other sponsors of document 1:/CONF.62/C.3/L.19, was working on draft articles
on a system for settling disputes at an expert level which he expected to be
submitted to the Committee shortly.
Mr. FINUCANL (Ireland) said that the draft articles in
document A/CONI'.62/C.3/L.26 were comprehensive and took into account many of the
elements discussed by the Committee; they also sought to balance the interests of
the coastal and the research States.
The principle underlying the draft articles was the distinction between pure
and resource-oriented marine research, but they unfortunately offered no firm
guidelines as to how such a distinction might be made or who should make it. He
agreed with the Netherlands representative that it was essential to incorporate a
procedure for settling disputes.
He thought- that the provisions relating to marine scientific research on the
continental shelf and in the economic zone tilted the balance in favour of the
coastal State; they did not obviate the danger that research might be curtailed by
one arbitrary refusal. or undue delay in replying on the part of that State.
Research in the economic zone and on the continental shelf should be conducted in
conformity with international guidelines established in the future Convention and a
time-limit should be fixed for the coastal State''s.reply to a request for consent.
Draft article 5 was unsatisfactory since it appeared to undermine the
competence of the proposed international authority. Draft articles 9 and 10 also
required further consideration.
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III-r. BOII'f'L (Yugoslavia) said that the basic approach and wording of document
A/CONF.62/C.3/L.26 did not solve the problem of differentiating between pure marine
scientific research and research which provided a basis for quantitative evaluation
of resources and could not therefore be distinguished from exploration and
exploitation proper. Consequently, the draft articles provided no grounds for the
existence of two different legal regimes within the same area. There should, in his
delegation's view, be a.uniform/consent regime for all marine scientific research in
the exclusive economic zone.
Document A/CONF.62/C.3/L.26 maintained that the principle of freedom to conduct
research applied net only to the high seas but also to the sea-bed beyond the limit
of the economic zone and/or of the continental shelf. His delegation held, however,
that no such principle had ever applied with regard to the sea-,lied and that it was,
in any case, incompatible with the concept of the common heritage of mankind. Marine
scientific research should be governed by the regime applicable to sea-bed activities in
the international area and should be conducted subject to the rights of the future
international authority, as the representative of mankind.
.Draft articles 2 and 3 (A/CONF.62/C.3/L.26) did little to reconcile the
differences of view on the subject that had become apparent at the second session.
With regard to article 4, it was unacceptable that any duties should be imposed on
coastal States in their territorial waters, where they e.njo;,.:.' full sovereignty. His
delegation would appreciate an explanation of the phrase "competent international
organization", used in article 5. Article 7 made no mention of the need for
preferentia'L'treatment for developing land-locked or geographically disadvantaged
States situated near the research area. Article 8, in proposing a special regime for
the access of research vessels to the ports and inland waters of coastal States,
mentioned only the obligations of those States. Article. 9 made no provision for the
consent of the coastal State to the installation, deployment and use of scientific
research installations -- which should, in any event, be under its over-all jurisdiction
if within the area subject to national sovereignty and/or jurisdiction, unless it had
agreed otherwise when it gave consent. Finally, with regard to article 10, on
responsibility for scientific research, although there was a need for a separate
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provision on the subject, his delegation preferred the area approach. proposed by India
in the working group on marine scientific research? ,
Mr. IiIJSSAIN (Pakistan) said that his delegation e'cared the views of other
dele?;ations that article 1 in .document J'A/CQNF.62/C.3/L.26 did. not provide a complete=
definition of marine scientific research in~_smach as it did not. clearly indicate-that
research should be con.ductcd without prejudice to the rights, of coastal State,. within
areas under their jurisdiction. . `i'he..general principle enunciated in article 2 was
unexceptionable, but the text did not clearly bring out the interests of the developing
countries, which required preferential treatment. Paragraph 2 (b) of that article
referred to "other legitimate uses of the sea compatible with the provisions of this
convention" but. not to other relevant .rules of international law under which certain
other uses had been recognized. . Paragraph 3 did not refer to the rights of coastal.
States within areas under their jurisdiction. Such omissions would have tp be rectified
if article 2 was to be, generally acceptable.
11
With regard to article 4, the second. sentence of paragraph 1 was redundant, In view
of the fact that the prior consent. of the coastal State had to be obtained for research
within its territorial sea.. His delegation had serious difficulty with article, 5,
which ignored the role of the proposed international authority. Article 6 would deprive
coastal States of their exclusive jurisdiction and, control over marine scientific
research in areas under their jurisdiction by establishing two different rt5gimes for
research activities. on_ the basis of a differentiation: between fundamental and applied
marine scientific research. He contended, however, that it was practically impossible
to differentiate in :that way and therefore did not accept the proposal for two r6gimes.
Coastal States-should have full power to authorizc and control all types of scientific
research in areas under their jurisdiction,since such research.could have a bearing on
their security and strategic interests. It was for the same reasons that his
delegation could not accept article 4, paragraph 2, or article 7, although it agreed
that due account should be taken of the legitimate interests of developing land-locked
and geographically disadvantaged States.
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Article 8 was not required, since the facilities contemplated could, be
agreed upon at the time of obtaining the consent of the coastal. State, His
delegation could not support articles 9 ar.- 10; article 9 did not give the coastal
State over-all. jurisdiction over research installations in. areas under its
jurisdiction and article 10 omitted all reference to the jurisdiction of the
coastal State, a subject to which his delegation attached great importance.
Mr. BUSTANI (Brazil) said that document A./C0111F . 62/C . j/L. 2.6 had some
valuable features,although he did not agree with its underlying philosophy. The
definition of scientific research in article 1. contained the qualification "conducted
for 'peaceful purposed"; it would be more correct to attach that qualification to the
application of the results.
The proposals in the document would make the rights of coastal States dependent
on a dangerous, and. indeed fallacious, distinction between types of marine scientific
research. Coastal States would have no means of ascertaining whether a specific
research project was being conducted in accordance with the rules proposed. Another
problem was the rights of coastal States in their economic zones: he did not
understa-n.d. the difference drawn between territorial waters and economic zones in that
respect. Article 5 spoke of freedom to conduct scientific research on the high seas
including the sea--bod : such freedom had. never existed and was incompatible with
the generally accepted concept of the common heritage of mankind. Article 9 confused
control over scientific research installations by the research State with the
coastal State's jurisdiction over the area concerned.: the two aspects should be
kept distinct.
The sponsors of the document had progressed from a concept of complete freedom
of marine scientific; research to are;ime of prior notification of scientific
research related to exploration. and exploitation in the economic zone. He hoped
that theywould accept the regime of consent by the coastal State, which would not
impede the progress of science.
Mr.. 10 Yu-ju (China) said that the proposals in document A/C0NH. 62/C . 3/L.26
nullified the reasonable principle that, in order to safeguard their sovereignty and
security, the coastal State's consent should be required for any marine scientific
research carried out in waters over which it had jurisdiction. It was impossible,
in practice, to determine whether or not such research was related to marine resources.
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The pretext of scientific research was used by super-Powers to undermine the security
and economic interests of the many developing countries which were coastal States.
Similarly, the theory, that "all States" should enjoy freedom of marine scientific
research, asserted in article 5, had been firmly repudiated by third-world Powers, since
it merely provided an opportunity for the super-Powers, with their superior
technological capability, to steal a march on the developing countries. Scientific
research on the high seas, including the sea-bed, should be subject to the regime of
the proposed international authority.
Article 8 was unacceptable since it infringed the sovereignty of coastal States;
its provisions were tantamount to imposing obligaiions on them, even to the extent of
requiring them to take legislative measures. Similarly, the scientific research
installations referred to in article 9 should be under the jurisdiction of coastal
States, in addition to requiring their prior consent. Otherwise coastal. States would
exercise jurisdiction in name only, and their sovereignty and security could not be
safeguarded..
Finally, his delegation disagreed with the general and indiscriminate references
in the text to "in accordance with other rules of international law". Many of those
rules had been established before the majority of developing countries became
independent and did not conform with their interests. The world had changed, and
developing countries could not be asked to accept out-of-date laws which operated
to the sole advantage of the super-Powers.
Mr. BIENADAVA (Chile) said that the essential element in
document A/CONP.62/C.3/L.26 was the distinction between two categories of marine
scientific research. In practice, as the Canadian representative had pointed out, it
would be difficult, particularly for developing countries, to determine whether any
particular research was linked with the exploitation of resources. If a difference of
opinion about the classification of certain research arose between a coastal State and
a research State, the former should be entitled to make the decision. The regime of
prior consent by the coastal State had the advantage of being less likely to Live
rise to difficulties. With regard to article 9, he was of the opinion that scientific
research installations, although legally the property of the research State, should.
be under the exclusive jurisdiction of the coastal State.
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Mr. TARA.NENKO (Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic) said that, as one of
the sponsors of the draft articles on marine scientific research (A/CONF.62/C.3/L.26),
he wished to elucidate some of the draft articles in the light of the views expressed
by delegations.
Ukrainian scientists, together with scientists from other countries, played their
part in studying the world's oceans for the purpose of ensuring the rational exploitation
of the resources of the sea. and the preservation of the marine environment in the
interests of mankind.
His delegation was in favour of freedom for marine scientific research conducted
on the high seas, including, the sea-:-bed beyond the limits of the economic zone and
the continental shelf, by all States, both coastal and land--looked, on the basis of
equality and non-discrimination. That freedom should fully apply to the competent
international organizations conducting such research.
The draft articles proposed that the conduct of scientific research on the
continental shelf and in the economic zone, should be regulated in two different ways,
depending on. whether or not the research related to the exploration and exploitation
of the resources of the economic zone and the continental shelf. Under article 6,
research so related. would have to be conducted with the consent of the coastal State
and on conditions determined by it, with the coastal State having the right to
participate or be represented. in such research.
Article '7, on the other hand, provided, that in the case of scientific research
in the economic zone and on the continental shelf unrelated to the exploration and
exploitation of the resources of those areas, the coastal State must be notified of
the planned research, he given a detailed description of the research programme and
be provided with an opportunity for participation.
Document A/cON-.62/C.3/L.26 had. clearly aroused considerable interest, and the
discussions on it had been businesslike and constructive. The delegation of Kenya,
for example, had proposed that, in article 4, the word "may" should be replaced by
the word "shall.". His delegation was prepared to consider that proposal. As for the
proposals of the delegations of Ireland and the Netherlands on the need -to draft
provisions on the regulation of sarine research, he was sure that the sponsors would
willingly discuss that matter.
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The delegation of. Nigeria had raised the question of the role of the future
international authority in marine scientific research. In his delegation's view,
the functions and role of the authority, in that field as in others, fell within the
competence of the 'i:ret Committee. He understood, however, that the intention was
to empower the authority to conduct such research on the high seas jointly with
States and other competent international organizations.
Several delegations had expressed doubts as to the need for, or possibility of
differentiating between marine scientific research which was :cc-elated. to the resources
of the economic zone and. that which was not so related, His delegation was convinced.
that it was essential to distinguish between them, for the following reason: if the
rights of the coastal State were recogrnized, not -with respect to the area of the
economic zone, but only with respect to the recouxrcos in that zone, the natural.
conclusion would be that only in .the case of scientific research relating to such
resources could the coastal State decide whether such _research could be conducted
,and on what conditions. For research unrelated to the resources of the economic zone
there had to be another regime not entirely subject to the discretion of the coastal
State. '.11at was precisely what was proposed in document/CONF.62/C,3/L.26. Those
and other similar issues could be discussed and clarified during further work on the
draft articles.
In conclusion, he sai..d that his delegation rejected the poll.t.ically-motivated
observations made by one delegation, and would not waste the committee''s time by
replying to them.
Mr. BENTTIN (Belgium) said he was pleased to note that there were points
of similarity between the draft articles submitted by the socialist States and those
in document A/COI1F.62/C,3/L,19, of which his delegation had been a sponsor, and that
the new proposal dealt with certain points not covered by the earlier draft articles.
He had some reservations, however, about document; A/COIN'F.62/C.3/L.26.
The new draft articles dealt, in fact, with basic marine scientific research,
to the exclusion of research conducted with a view to the industrial exploitation of
marine resources, although that was not immediately apparent from the text. Draft
article 1 in document A/CONI'.62/C,3/L.19 had at least defined. the scope of subsequent
articles. Paragraph 1 of draft article 2 contained a statement of intention which,
as such, was not legally binding. In that case, too, a provision similar to draft
article 2 in document A/COI,,IF.62/C.3/L.19 would be preferable. Pain, draft article 3
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of the new proposal made no .reference, in connexion with the flow of scientific data,
to land-locked and other geographically disadvantaged States, as did the corresponding
provision of document A/CONF.62/C.3/l.19.
He shared some of the doubts expressed about thy': subtle distinction made in the
proposal between the two types of regime envisaged, particularly in view of the
ambiguous definition in artiole 1 of marine scientific research. It would inevitably
be very difficult to apply such provisions, and his delegation would need further
clarifications before it could take a final. stand on the matter. Fu.rthermorce, draft
articles 4, 5 and 6 required redrafting.
He was disappointed to note the absence of any provision fox the settlement of
disputes, which had been, the subject of paragra;rh 5 of articles 6 in document
A/CON}:+',62,/C.3/L.l9. Such a provision was- particularly important in a document which
relied on subtle distinctions and ambiguous terminology. Article 8, on the other
hand., was probably redundant.
In conclusion, he said.. that his. delegation was prepared to accept the draft
articles as a, basis for consideration, provided they were amplified to include
complementary provisions from document A/CONTF.62/C.3/L.19. .'
Mr. POJI011 (Albania) said that. the conduct of marine scientific research'
within a coastal State's area of sovereignty was a matter directly affecting is
freedom and independence and should therefore rest exclusively within its jurisdiction.
Control over such research was a right which developing countries and other sovereign
States wished to have enshrined in any new convention on the law of the sea.
The sponsors of the draft articles, however, had ignored such legitimate
aspirations and sought to sanction in a new convention the so-called "freedom of
scientific research" -.which meant, in effect, the freedom of the major imperialist
powers, and in particular the United States and the Soviet Union, to implement their
aggressive policies and plunder the resources of other countries. Despite their
efforts to camouflage their real aims, it was abundantly clear from paragraphs 1 and 2
of article 6 - which no sovereign State could accept - that the articles were directed
against the interests of developing countries. They failed, for example, to specify
who would. be authorized to determine whether marine scientific research was, or was
not, related to the exploration and exploitation of the living and non-living resources
of the economic zone.
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In short, document A/CONF.62_/C.3/L.26 was a blatant attempt to deny sovereign
States their just demands for the establishment of an economic ;one? to limit their
jurisdiction over the zone and to give le,al effect in a new convention to imperialist
policies of aggression and expansion.
He noted that draft article 1 defined marine scientific research as research
conducted "for peaceful purposes": the real purpose of the imperialist powers in
conducting such research was all too well known, especially when it was conducted
close to the shores of sovereign States.
Mr.. Oslpina (Colombia) took the Chair.
Mr. DAE3MOUCH.E (Algeria) said that the draft articles constituted a step
towards agreement on a new convention, in that, for the first time, certain delegations
had abandoned traditional positions and conceded. some of the demands of developing
countries, particularly those which were also coastal States.
The draft articles were, however, unsatisfactory in two important spo cts. In
the first place, they introduced the idea of two different regimes foxr-che economic
zone, one requiring consent by the coastal State and the other advance notification,
merely as a courtesy, by the country conducting scientific research in the territorial
waters of a coastal State. His delegation was, however, prepared to consider a more
flexible system of consent in the case of basic research.
Secondly, the draft articles gave the impression that coastal States owed a duty
but did not enjoy a right. It was unfortunate that no document hai :t been
submitted which listed the duties of a State conducting scientific research. Moreover,
the draft articles, while paying lip-service to equality, in fact enhanced one major
inequality by ignoring the fact that developing coastal States would never get the
chance to carry out scientific research in the territorial waters of developed
countries and that it would always be the same Powers which had the means to carry
out such research.
Another criticism concerned the general approach of the draft articles. He was
categorically opposed to the idea of isolating the territorial sea from the economic
zone and, there again, establishing two regimes, and he was surprises. uo note that
other documents submitted by the developing countries, particularly on the role of
the international authority, had apparently been disregarded. The sponsors of the
draft articles should be seeking to promote co-operation among those delegations in
the Committee which shared a. common vision, of the future.
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A commendable feature of the draft articles was the invitation to developing
countries to take part in scientific research. Such co-operation should not, however,
be confined to research but should extend to the planning of programmes, so as to
ensure that the results of research were relevant to the targets set by developing
countries. His delegation would like to see that very important point incorporated
in the draft articles or another related document.
There were constant references in Conference documents to international law;
there was such a reference in draft article 10, for instance. Existing international
law had, however, grown up before many countries attained independence, and it was
unjust in many respects. The time had come to set aside an outdated legal structure
in favour of a new international economic order.
Mr. TMi0N0V (Union of Soviet Socialist; Republics), speaking in exercise
of the right of reply, said that there had been much constructive comment on the
draft articles (A/CONF.62/C.3/L.^'6). His delegation still considered that it would
be feasible to have two types of regime governing research in the economic zone, but
it was prepared. to co-operate with others in the matter. His delegation was convinced
that solutions could be found which served the interests of all countries, provided
the majority of delegations adopted a reasoned approach. Some delegations, however,
had sounded a dissonant note. Their aim was to impede the Committee's work, to
deflect the discussion towards political matters and to create a climate of distrust.
His delegation would confine itself to stating that such manoeuvres would fail, just
as in the Middle Ages attempts to thwart progress by condemning those who carried out
research had failed.
Mr.POJANT (Albania) speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said that
nobody, and least of all his delegation, had any quarrel with the definition of marine
scientific research as research "conducted for peaceful purposes" given in draft
article 1. His concern, however, was with the aggressive policies of the Soviet Union
and other countries..
The socialist imperialist powers were insisting on freedom of scientific research
for their own ends. They were seeking freedom of passage for ships allegedly engaged
in scientific work through the territorial waters of other countries and through straits
used for international navigation; those vessels could travel close to the shares of
other countries. His delegation objected strongly to granting absolute freedom for
such activities.
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The conclusions (Ira-wn by the Soviet Anion representative had, as might be expected,
iailod to reflect the atmosphere prevailing in the Colml:ii,ttee and the just demands of
the majority of member States.
Draft article on the urevention of ioollia.tio:n torn du/:r)in; at sea
(:i.teni 12) (A;'COIT1 62; C. L.-Z1 j
1I.r. IllS'I?fOPOI_LO$ (Greece) said that the purpose of the draft article on the
prevention of pollution from duI_i )in? at sea (1i%COY11'. 62;'C. ~ L, 2.7} was to -L ut all
existing proposals or generally accepted ideas into systematic form in a document which
could serve as a basis for future negotiations. It was based on the assemiptionl that
the futur. convention would. deal with four main forms of ,pollution, tamely, those
deriving from land-based sources, ex)loitati.on and exploration of the sea-bed, ships
and dumning. Some of those forms were already covered by existir.Lg ? Conventiono . The
future convention on the lair of the sea, could not include all the details of such
conventions and should not aim to re )lace them. its, main i ur~ose would be to define
general principles and basic obligations, and to c';: )port ion jurisdiction between States
with re and to rule -ma' :L:n and e 1I.01.Ce.t eni in such Ilia ~'te1 :) as dumpin .
Para{ rank 1 of the draft article reproduced the definition o.IL' c'i ' ?ing contained
in the 1972 London Convention on Dtu,'p 1.ng. i ar ra~11 2 referred to h n basic
obligations of 'States. Paragraph dealt with the apportionment of jurisdiction on
rule-malting, a problem which was not disposed of by a -,provision dealing with coastal
State rule-makin only; its provisions were to some extent implied in the London
Convention on dunr)ing.
Parafraph 4 dealt specifically with the authorization of dunning by the coastal
State, the port State and the flag State.
Paragraph 5 related to enforcement and was an expanded version of article 3 in
document A/CON .62/'C: ~, 'L.4 which his delegation had subL itted. at the Caracas session, and
paragraph 6 dealt with the non-du:>l_ication of ~)roceediugs. Naturally, if a se_)arate
article on that subject was included in the convention, paragraph 6 might be deleted.
In conclusion, he said that his delegation was a s )onsor of documents
A/ICO11h.62, C.L,4 and A/COITP.62,'C. /L.24, which dealt with related aspects of pollution,
and considered that the new draft article was consistent with those proposals.
Ivir. Y'ankov(Bulgari.ag resuimed. the oh .i:r..
i;.r. IIJ~>,1 ` ",IIi (Pa_:istan j said that the _ rovisions of paragraphs )a and 4 of
the Greel: draft article a:w)peared to be a de,oarture from the generally agreed principle
that the control of land-based marine pollution would be the responsibility of t e
o.)asta.l State, which would tame account of i_nternatiana,l redulation.s.
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Hr. 9TNAGIINIS (Greece) observed- that dumping was a combination of land --
and sea-based pollution. . However, his delegation was prepared to tape account
of any agreed conclusion that night emerge on. double standards with regard to land-
based. pollution and the special needs of developin countries in that sphere.
Hr. JAIN (India) su:_;g;ested that reference should be made in the draft article,
not just to "w s tes"; but to wastes which "may significantly endanger any part of the
marine enviroruuent". He endorsed the views ox-pressed essed by the representative of
Pakistan about coastal States' power to ma' e reGulations concerning land-based sources
of pollution. Paragraph 3(b) would be acceptable to his delegation if the words
"an area .... sea" were r. epllaced by the )hra.se "areas under their national jurisdiction
or sovereignty". He further suggested that paragraph 4 should be ammplif. ied to include
the concept of authorization.
Mr bin I?iAJID (Tialay'sia) supported those observations.
Idr. BUSl1A (Inter-governmental iiari_time Consultative Organization; , speal;.ing
at the invitation of the Chairman, said that two international Conventions had been