TERRITORIAL AND SOVEREIGNTY PROBLEMS IN THE ARCTIC

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP62-00680R000200160039-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 30, 2000
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: July 15, 1959
• Content Type: MF

T) V!rXETAWY oc STATE
MAM7MOTIW n O Approved For Release 2001/08/27 :CIA-RDP62-006808000200160039-8
DEPARTMENT OF Sl~rr"E
WASt! 1 NGTON
July 15, 1959
MFa"1ANDUM FOR
Chief, Geography Division,
Central Intelligence Agency
SUBJECT : Territorial and Sovereignty Problems in the Arctic
1. A comprehensive politico-geographic study of the Arctic Basin
is needed. Much postwar military planning has been and is being
centered on the Arctic, while on the political side questions of
territorial claims and sovereignty status are far from clear cut.
Although documentation in quantity exists on the Arctic as such, much
of it treats only environmental and strategic phases, and is chiefly
concerned with continental areas. World attention is focused on U.S.
policy pertaining to problems in the Arctic Basin, and a study is
needed which utilizes all pertinent material to clarify the political
as well as environmental factors involved.
This Office strongly recommends that your Division undertake such
a stud . The matter has been coordinated informally with
OER, D/GG (Office of Research and Reports, Division of Geo-
graphy, Geography); and an outline prepared by him would not only pro-
vide essential background material for the formulation of U.S. policy
in a critical area, but would help to facilitate the resolution of
numerous legal problems anticipated as a result of expanding interests
by a number of nations along the northern margins of the North American
and Eurasian continents.
2. We envision that the study should encompass the basic natural
features of Arctic geography insofar as they relate to the main issues
at hand; the implications of sector claims upon the territorial sea;
under-ice freedom of the seas, with special reference to submarines
capable of launching missiles; the territorial status of semi-permanent
installations constructed on floating ice; and the generally increasing
ability to cope with distance and an inhospitable climate by advancing
technology.
3. In addition to text, we envision graphics showing "sector
claims" in the Arctic as well as the delimitation of the territorial
sea and the orientation of sea and air routes.
(ONFIDENTIAL
State Dept. declassification & release instructions on file
Approved For Release 2001/08/27 : CIA-RDP62-0068OR000200160039-8
 Approved F *Release 2001/08/27~.+Ck.A-f,RDP62-006W000200160039-8
doUi the i)~'.fcE r i ::;o?`ri.et Affa rs an-d the Office of the
Legal Adviser have indicated interest and may wish to call attention
to specific problems within their fields, The Office of the
Geographer is particularly engaged in the question of territorial
claims, on land and water, and stands ready to cooperate in any way
possible to. facilitate the proposed study.
Carroll M. Terry
Director
Office of Intelligence
Resources and Coordination
cc* IRC/G. - Dr. E. Pearcy
L - A. F. Neidle
SOV - N. Davis
Approved For Release 2001/08/27 : CIA-RDP62-00680R000200160039-8