Convention yet to be ratified

Press, 4 June 1988, Page 2

Convention yet to be ratified

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

Conservationists still hope that the Antarctic Minerals Convention, signed in Wellington after six years work, may never come into force.

The convener of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, Ms Cath Wallace, said that not all the countries required to ratify the convention might do so. Of the 20 consultative parties to the Antarctic Treaty, 16 are required to ratify the convention for it to come into force (including all seven territorial claimaints). It was possible that some of the claimant States would refuse, Ms Wallace said. They had been pressured and bludgeoned over the last days of the month-long session in Wellington so that on the final day they would agree to the convention. They had been required to make compromises to weaken the environmental protectin afforded Antarctica, they had had to forgo revenue sharing with miners on territory they claimed, and they had had to weaken the liability requirements in miners and their sponsoring States. She said the countries involved in the biggest compromises were Australia, Chile, and Argentina.

She thought that when

the dimplomats from these countries arrived home their Governments might not be very happy about the compromises their representatives had had to make. Greenpeace planned to mount a world campaign, as well, with the aim of blocking ratification. “The choice is World Park or world shame for Antarctica,” Ms Wallace said. “We have moved a step closer to world shame, but we have not got there yet.” The convention offers the strongest protection for the environment of any international agreement, says the chairman of the Antarctic minerals talks, Mr Chris Beeby, the Press Association reports. The Antarctic Treaty now made no mention of mining or exploration, a "gap” which could have been a source of conflict between treaty nations in the future. The convention, which still has to be ratified by Antarctic Treaty nations, provided a far higher standard of environmental protection than most countries did, Mr Beeby said. No area could be opened up for exploration or mining without the

agreement of all 20 Antarctic Treaty consultative parties. For each big step of an application a comprehensive environmental evaluation would be required from an advisory committee of scientific and technical experts. The convention also provided for parts of Antarctica to be placed offlimits for mining, such as breeding areas or areas of special environmental sensitivity. “These provisions will ensure that if any mineral activity ever takes place in Antarctica, it will proceed in a regulated and environmentally safe manner that will ensure the continued peace and stability of the Antarctic continent,” Mr Beeby said. But it was unlikely extraction of minerals would begin until world prices were three times their current level. The convention would be open for signing for a year from November 25, 1988. It would then have to be ratified by 16 States to come into force. All seven States which claimed territory in Antarctica, which includes New Zealand, had to ratify the treaty for it to become effective.