Office of the Historian

152. Information Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (Marshall) to Secretary of State Haig1

Washington, April 13, 1982

SUBJECT

  • Law of the Sea: Latest Developments

The United States will today submit a revised package of amendments to the LOS treaty. The amendments, which reflect the SIG discussion of April 5,2 will be co-sponsored by the FRG, the UK, France, Japan, Italy and Belgium. At Jim Malone’s request, on April 9, Deputy Secretary Stoessel called in the ambassadors from the UK, France, Italy and Japan to ask that they co-sponsor the US amendments.3 In addition, the US will submit a draft resolution on protection of pioneer investors (PIP), co-sponsored by the FRG and the UK. France and Japan will submit separate PIP proposals.

The next 10 days will be set aside for negotiations on the amendments. This will take place in a small group with representatives from all interests groups under the direction of President Koh. On approximately April 21, the Conference will decide whether to begin formal voting. The delegation does not believe that Koh will issue a new text in the next few days.

Negotiations on PIP have been underway for several days and the delegation hopes to move rapidly to the remaining US issues. The G–77 has not yet committed itself to negotiate any issues other than protection of pioneer investors but have not given any indication they will refuse to do so.

There has been no change in the conference schedule which calls for completion of the negotiations on April 30. However, a key G–77 leader has raised informally with the US delegation the possibility of a summer session.4

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, P820059–1796. Confidential. Drafted by Eskin and cleared by Salmon. Sent through Buckley. Haig’s initials appear at the top of the memorandum.↩
  2. See Document 150.↩
  3. In telegram 97145 to USUN New York, April 10, the Department provided a summary of Stoessel’s meeting. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D840712–0970)↩
  4. Haig highlighted this paragraph.↩