Ocean Bed Treaty Proposed To U.N.

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31680, 16 May 1968, Page 13

Ocean Bed Treaty Proposed To U.N.

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) NEW YORK. A group of American lawyers has submitted to the United Nations a proposed treaty to govern the exploration and use of the ocean bed.

The tr eaty—the recommendation of the U.N. Committee of the World Peace Through Law Centre suggests that a special agency should be established to grant exclusive licences to explore and exploit sea bed resources. It also provides for the reservation. of the sea bed for peaceful purposes only, and defines the edge of the continental shelf as a maximum of 50 miles from the shore or a depth of 600 feet.

The ’resources of the sea bed should be used for the benefit of mankind and should

not be subject to national or private appropriation, the committee suggests.

Copies of the treaty have been given to each of the 35 members of the General Assembly’s ad hoc committee studying the peaceful uses of the sea bed and ocean floor beyond the limits of natural jurisdiction. This committee will submit a report to the next session of the General Assembly. The World Peace Through Law Centre is an organisation composed of lawyers and jurists from all over the world.