unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/03/89)
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SUPPORT EFFICIENT SEA-LAW CONVENTION
WOULD DISCUSS ANY ISSUES WTH SIGNATORIES, NON-SIGNATORIES
Preparatory Commission for International Sea-Bed Authority
And Sea-Law Tribunal Ends Resumed Seventh Session, 14 August-1 September
Developing countries this morning called for the early establishment of
institutions envisaged under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea, urging the registered pioneer investors to meet their obligations under
the Convention. They made the call as the Preparatory Commission for the
International Sea-Bed Authority and for the International Tribunal for the Law
of the Sea wound up its sessions for l989.
The developing countries -- the "Group of 77" -- also reaffirmed their
readiness for talks with signatories and non-signatories to the Convention on
any issues related to the Convention, and their support for an efficient,
cost-effective Authority.
The representative of Denmark, speaking on behalf of the Group of11,
known as "friends of the Convention", said the Convention on the Law of the
Sea was a milestone in the history of international lawmaking which must not
be allowed to fail. The matter of pioneer obligations was crucial and should
be settled at the Commission's next session, so that other outstanding issues
might be addressed.
The representative of France, speaking on behalf of the European Economic
Community (EEC), said the Commission's work had been characterized by a spirit
of openness which augured well for the achievement of universality. It was
important to achieve that universality through dialogue. He spoke also on
behalf of the registered pioneer investors, who, he said, favoured the spirit
of open-mindedness and would do everything possible to promote dialogue with a
view to achieving universal acceptance of the Convention. The pioneer
investors -- France, India, Japan and the Soviet Union -- would continue to
demonstrate a spirit of compromise.
The representative of Italy, speaking for the Group of Six -- Belgium,
the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan, the Federal Republic of Germany
and his country -- said negotiations were entering a crucial stage and that
the Convention constituted a major achievement of the United Nations and of
the process of codification and progressive development of international law.
His Group believed the achievement of universality of the Convention might be
greatly facilitated if all States agreed to the launching of a dialogue,
without pre-conditions and in the appropriate framework.
The representative of Canada, speaking for potential applicants for
registration as pioneer investors, expressed regret that it had not been
possible to resolve the issue of pioneer investor obligations during the
current session. His group work towards its resolution and in support of the
achievement of universality of the Convention.
The representative of China said the reports of the Chairmen of the
various Special Commissions and that of the Plenary demonstrated that "smooth
progress" had been achieved during the session. He expressed regret that the
consultations on the obligations of pioneer investors had not proceeded
satisfactorily and hoped that progress could be made in that area at the next
session in Kingston.
The representative of Bulgaria, speaking for the Group of Socialist
States of Eastern Europe, said they supported the position of the Group of 77
on the need for ensuring the universality of the Convention and would work
towards that end.
The representative of Oman said his country supported international
efforts to regulate passage between littoral States and others. It had made
proposals during the work of the Commission and had, through the Group of 77,
reached compromises that would satisfy all countries.
Statements were also made by the observer of the African National
Congress of South Africa (ANC) and by a representative of the Asian-African
Legal Consultative Committee.
Before adjourning, the Preparatory Commission considered the reports of
the Chairmen of the Special Commissions and of the Plenary. The Preparatory
Commission decided to hold its next session -- its eighth -- in Kingston,
Jamaica, from 5 to 30 March.
Special Commission 1 Report (Developing Land-Based Producer States)
The report of the Special Commission on Developing Land-Based Producer
States, Special Commission 1, introduced by acting Chairman LUIS GIOTTO PREVAL
PAEZ (Cuba), said "significant results" had been achieved in deliberations in
the Commission's working group which should lead to solutions to the issue of
a system of compensation for those States likely to be seriously affected by
future sea-bed production of cobalt, copper, nickel and manganese.
At its next session, the Commission would continue consideration of the
provisional conclusions (document CRP.16) -- starting with provisional
conclusion 18 -- which might form the basis of its recommendations to the
International Sea-Bed Authority. The remaining conclusions cover
identification, definition and measurement of effects of sea-bed production
on developing land-based producer States, determination of the
problems/difficulties that would be encountered by the affected land-based
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
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Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations
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