Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, United Nations and General International Matters, Volume II

271. Aide-Mémoire From the Department of State to Certain Embassies¹

Washington, March 24, 1958.

In view of the desirability of continuing in the future the fruitful scientific cooperation in Antarctica now being carried on so successfully during the International Geophyscial Year, on the basis of agreement among the interested countries, the Government of the United States wishes to ascertain the views of the Government of² in regard to the following possible approach to the problem:

1. General Policy Objectives

Before undertaking to work out the details of any program for Antarctica, it would seem desirable that there be broad agreement among the interested countries in regard to the basic objectives to be sought in a common Antarctic policy. It has been suggested that among the principal objectives to be sought there should be included the following:

a. Freedom of scientific investigation throughout Antarctica by citizens, organizations, and governments of all countries; and a continuation of the international scientific cooperation which is being carried out so successfully during the current International Geophysical Year.

b. International agreement to ensure that Antarctica be used for peaceful purposes only.

2. Antarctic Treaty

It has been suggested that the major objectives to be sought in a common international Antarctic policy could best be achieved by means of a multilateral treaty among the countries having a direct interest in Antarctica. If this procedure should be adopted, such a treaty might contain provisions which would:

a. Give legal effect to the general policy objectives and major principles set forth above by embodying them in treaty form.

b. Provide for reports to the United Nations and cooperative relationships with specialized agencies of the United Nations.

c. Provide for such joint administrative arrangements as might be necessary and desirable to accomplish the agreed objectives.

d. Ensure that no political rivalries in Antarctica endanger the constructive program contemplated. This could be accomplished by freezing the legal status quo in Antarctica at the beginning of the treaty and for its duration. Under this procedure no state would be required to renounce any claim of sovereignty which it might have asserted; no state would be obliged to recognize any claims asserted by other countries; and no new rights would be acquired or claims asserted by any country after the treaty has come into effect and for its duration. If at any time the treaty should be terminated, the legal situation in Antarctica would revert to the status quo ante.

3. Antarctic Conference

If it should be agreed that a treaty should be concluded to accomplish the foregoing objectives, then presumably a conference would have to be convened for that purpose. The question arises of when such a conference might take place and where it should convene. If a program along the foregoing lines is to progress, it would be useful to exchange views at an early date on the time and place of such a conference.

4. Participating Countries

If an Antarctic conference should be convened to conclude a treaty for the purposes set forth above, it is assumed that the countries which have conducted scientific research in the Antarctic region during the current International Geophysical Year would wish to participate.

The Government of the United States has not yet formulated in any fixed or final form its policy in regard to the matters of substance and procedure outlined in the four preceding paragraphs. Without prejudice to the rights which it has consistently asserted in Antarctica, it would prefer to consult with the governments of other interested countries before reaching any final conclusions; and it believes that a flexible approach to these problems on the part of all concerned would be conducive to reaching a mutually satisfactory solution. For this purpose the Government of the United States invites an expression of the views of the other interested governments in regard to the questions raised above, in the hope that mutual agreement can be reached on a long range solution of the Antarctic problem.

The governments of the other countries which have participated in the Antarctic program of the International Geophysical Year are likewise being consulted by means of identical aide-mémoire.

It is suggested that this preliminary consultation be considered confidential until such time as public proposals can be made with some assurance of a satisfactory outcome.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 702.022/3–2458. Secret. Drafted by Daniels on March 21; cleared by ARA, EUR, FE, AF, IO, and L; and handed to representatives from the Embassies of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, Norway, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom.
2. Blank space in the source text.