unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/03/89)
conditions.
The representative of Zambia, Chairman of the Group of 77, speaking on
the report of Special Commission 2, said that every registered prioneer was
expected to provide training at all levels so that the Enterprise might be
able to keep pace with the system of deep sea-bed mining. A training panel
was to be set up to select nominees offered by various Governments. That
training panel should be set up by the Preparatory Commission without delay,
so that the common objective of the common heritage of mankind might be
realized.
Statements
The representative of Zambia, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77, said
the Group believed that the work of the Preparatory Commission should be
organized in such a way as to ensure the early completion of the preparations
for the entry into force of the Convention and the establishment of the
Authority and its organs. While appreciating the need to be thorough, the
Group believed that constant reviews and reopening of issues previously agreed
upon was retrogressive. It supported the proposal of the Chairman of the
Preparatory Commission that 1991 should be the provisional target date for
completion of the work of the Commission.
He said the developing countries continued to be ready to hold
discussions, without any preconditions, with any delegation or group of
delegations -- whether signatories or non-signatories to the Convention -- on
any issues related to the Convention and work of the Preparatory Commission.
Their willingness to do so was born out of a "genuine desire to ensure the
universality of the Convention". The Group, contrary to false impressions
created in some quarters, supported the establishment of an efficient,
cost-effective Authority, the size of which would be no larger or smaller than
was required to enable it carry out its functions. A realistic size and
budget of the Authority, upon entry into force of the Convention, would not
impose great financial burdens. It was the hope of his Group that in view of
their support for a cost-effective Authority, the question of burdensome costs
could be laid to rest.
He said that although the first group of pioneer investors -- France,
India, Japan and the Soviet Union -- had been registered in 1987, agreement
had yet to be reached on an arrangement for the discharge of obligations.
There seemed to be "an unfortunate deliberate delay" in resolving issues
related to the subject. The registered pioneer investors should prove that
they had always intended to discharge their obligations arising out of the
special status created for them under the Convention and various
understandings.
The representative of Gabon, referring to elements of the reports of
Special Commissions 1 and 3, said he could not support development of a
subsidies system regarding sea-bed mining. Such a system would deviate from
the provisions of the Convention.
The representative of Zaire agreed with Gabon. The report of Special
Commission 1 spoke of a system of compensation and of subsidization of sea-bed
mining (paragraph 2 of document LOS/PCN/L.73). He saw no provision in the
Convention empowering the Preparatory Commission to subsidize sea-bed mining,
but only to study the effects of subsidization. The Special Commission's
report should be revised to reflect that.
Referring to the report of Special Commission 3 (paragraph 14 of document
LOS/PCN/L.74), he said his Government had never recognized subsidization of
any type of production, and particularly of deep sea-bed mining, which had not
yet even begun.
Finally, he proposed that Zambia's statement on behalf of the Group of 77
be published as part of the historical record of work on the Law of the Sea.
The CHAIRMAN said he would call attention of the Special Commission
Chairmen to the questions raised regarding subsidization. On the proposal to
publish the statement of the Group of 77, he said an effort would be made to
reproduce that statement.
The representative of Gabon said he insisted that the statements be
published and distributed to delegations.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Law of the
Sea, SATYA NANDAN, said the secretariat was required to reproduce the
decisions taken by the Commission, and, in that connection, also reproduced
working documents. If it were to reproduce other statements, it would have to
make provision for the recording, translation and reproduction of all
statements in six languages. Several representatives had requested
reproduction of specific statements. The secretariat was willing to photocopy
such statements for the benefit of delegations. If the Commission decided to
request summary records, it would have to bring that decision to the General
Assembly for its approval. But the current trend was to reduce summary
records as far as possible because of the financial situation of the United
Nations.
The Preparatory Commission took note of the reports of the Chairman of
the Special Commissions and of the Preparatory Commission.
Closing Statements
The representative of Denmark, in his statement on behalf of the Group
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