All should benefit from Ice—U.N.

Press, 18 December 1985, Page 10

All should benefit from Ice—U.N.

NZPA-Reuter New York The United Nations General Assembly affirmed yesterday that all States should share equitably in the management and benefits of the exploitation of Antarctica. There was no dissenting vote and 92 members voted for the resolution. But the parties to the Antarctic Treaty, including the United States and the Soviet Union, replied “not participating” when the roll was called.

They have strongly objected to what some regard as United Nations interference in one of theffew successful accords among

countries of different ideologies and stages of development. Their decision not to participate in the vote, after a similar decision when the question was debated in committee, was regarded as an expression of disdain for what many of them regard as an unwarranted intrusion.

Malaysia led a campaign to give the whole world a say in decisions affecting the continent The 32-nation Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, came into force on June 23, 1961, and reserves the vast frozen

area south of 60 deg. lat for peaceful purposes, provides for international co-opera-tion in scientific investigation and research, and preserves the status quo regarding territorial sovereignty, rights and claims. The resolution invited the treaty members to inform the Secretary-General, Mr Javier Perez de Cuellar, of their negotiations on a regime regarding Antarctic minerals and directed him to report back next year. A key paragraph affirmed “that any exploitation of the resour&s of Antarctica shouldA’nsure the mainten-

ance of international peace and security in Antarctica, the protection of its environment, the non-appro-priation and conservation of its resources and the international management and equitable sharing of the benefits of such exploitation.”

In a separate resolution adopted by 100 votes to none with 12 abstentions, the General Assembly expressed regret that South Africa was a party to the Antarctic Treaty and urged that it be excluded from future meetings of the fatties, *