May 23 1970
From The Space Library
President Nixon issued statement on U.S. oceans policy: "I am today proposing that all nations adopt as soon as possible a treaty under which they would renounce all national claims over the natural resources of the seabed beyond the point where the high seas reach a depth of 200 meters [650 ft] and 'would agree to regard these resources as the common heritage of mankind. The treaty should establish an international regime for the exploitation of seabed resources beyond this limit. The regime should include the collection of substantial mineral royalties to be used for international community purposes, particularly economic assistance to the developing countries. The regime should also establish general rules to prevent unreasonable interference with other uses of the ocean, to protect the ocean from pollution; to assure the integrity of the investment necessary for such exploitation, and to provide for peaceful and compulsory settlement of disputes." (PD, 5/23/70, 677-8)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
