STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00364R000400550035-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 13, 2007
• Sequence Number: 35
• Publication Date: March 10, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/12/13: CIA-RDP85M00364R000400550035-3
Office of the Press secretary
EMBARGO D FOR RILEAS : AT 4:00 P-4- EST
STATE. .S'A'T BY TEE PRESIDENT
March 10, 1983
The United States has long been a leader in developing
customary and conventional- law of the sea. Our objectives
have consistently been to provide a legal order that will,
among other things, facilitate peaceful, international uses of
the oceans and provide for equitable and effective management
and conservation of marine resources. The United States also
recognizes that all nations have an interest in these issues.
Last July X announced that the United States will not
sign the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention that was
opened for signature on December 10. We have taken this step
because several major problems in the Convention's deep seabed
mining provisions are contrary to the interests and principles
of industrialized nations and would not help attain the aspira-
tions of.developing-countries.
The United States does not stand alone in those concerns.
Some important allies and friends have not signed the Conven-
tion. Even some signatory States have raised concerns about
these problems. - . .
However, the Convention also contains provisions with
respect to traditional uses of the oceans which generally
confirm existing maritime' law and practice and fairly balance
Today I am announcing three decision's to promote and
protect the oceans interests of the United States in a manner
consistent with those fair and balanced results in the Con-
vention and international law.
First, the United States is prepared to accept,and -
act in accordance with the balance of interests relating to
traditigrial uses of the oceans -- such as navigation and
overflight. In this respect, the United States will recognize
-the rights of other States in the waters off their coasts, as
reflected in the Convention, so long as the rights and
freedoms of the'United States and others under international'
law are recognized by such coastal States.
Second, the United States will exercise and assert its
.navigation and overflight rights and freedoms on a worldwide
basis in a manner that is consistent with the balance of
interests reflected in the Convention. The United States will
not, however, acquiesce in unilateral acts of other States
designed to restrict the rights and freedoms of he inter-
national co=unity in navigation and overflight and other
related high seas uses.
Third, I am proclaiming today an reclusive Economic Zone
in which the United States will exercise sovereign rights in
living and non-living resources within 200 nautical miles of
its coast.. This will provide United States jurisdiction for
mineral resources out to 200 nautical'niles that are not on
the continental shelf. Recently discovered deposits there
could be an i-portant future source of strategic minerals.
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Within this Zone all nations will continue to enjoy the
high seas rights an.d freedoms that are not resource-related,
including the freedoms of navigation and overflight. My
Proclamation does not chance existing United States policies
concerning the continental shelf, marine mammals and fish-
eries, including highly migratory species of tuna which are
not subject to United States jurisdiction. The United States
will continue efforts to achieve international agreements for
the effective management of these species. The Proclamation
also reinforces this government's policy of promoting the
United States fishing industry.
While international law provides for a right of
jurisdiction over marine scientific research within such a'
zone, the Proclamation does not assert this right. I have
elected not to do so because of the United States interest in
encouraging' marine scientific research and avoiding any
unnecessary burdens. The United States will nevertheless
recognize the right of other coastal. States to exercise
jurisdiction over marine scientific research within 200
nautical miles of their coasts, if that jurisdiction is exer-
cised reasonably in a manner consistent with international
law.
The Exclusive Economic Zone established today will also
enable .the United States to take limited additional steps to
protect the marine environment. In this connection, the
United States will continue to work through the International
Maritime Organization and other appropriate international
organizations to develop uniform international measures. for
the protection of the marine environment while imposing no
unreasonable burdens on commercial shipping.
The policy decisions I. am announcing today will not
affect the application of existing United States law concern-
ing the high seas. or existing authorities of any United States
government agency. .
in addition to the above policy steps, the United States
will continue to work with other countries to develop a
regime, free of unnecessary political and economic restraints,
for -mining deep seabed minerals beyond national jurisdiction.
Deep seabed mining remains a lawful exercise of the freedom of
the high seas open to all nations.'. The United States will
continue to allow its firms to explore for and, when the
market' permits, exploit these resources.
The Administration looks forward to working with the
Congress on legislation to inplenent these new policies.
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Approved For Release 2007/12/13: CIA-RDP85M00364R000400550035-3