334. Editorial Note
The First United Nations Law of the Sea Conference opened at Geneva on February 24, 1958, with 87 nations participating. In the first three plenary sessions, February 24–26, the representatives established a General Committee, Credentials Committee, Election Committee, and five substantive committees: First Committee: Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone; Second Committee: High Seas: General Regions; Third Committee: High Seas: Fishing: Conservation of Living Resources; Fourth Committee: Continental Shelf; and Fifth Committee: Question of Access to the Sea of Land-Locked Countries. For summary records of these meetings, see U.N. doc. ACONF.13/38. The U.S. Delegation transmitted brief accounts of these meetings in [Page 650] telegrams 739, 740, and 742 from Geneva, February 26 and 27. (Department of State, Central Files, 399.731/2–2658 and 2758) Summary records for the sessions of the five committees are in U.N. docs. ACONE.13/39–43.
Arthur H. Dean headed the U.S. Delegation which consisted of 36 political and technical officers. A copy of the complete delegation list and Dean’s instructions are in Department of State, Central Files, 399.731/2–2258.