403. Telegram From the Delegation to the Conference on the Law of the Sea to the Department of State1
1398. Law of Sea. Last night Correa gave Armour2 his estimate LA support in event Alternative B tabled by “third” country and assuming (1) Soviet proposal already defeated and (2) Alternative A and presumably Canadian proposal already tabled but not voted on. In these circumstances Correa believes Argentina, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Uruguay will definitely support Alternative B. Cuba, Mexico and Peru will definitely oppose. Bolivia and Costa Rica were question marks. Chile may support as Melo3 believes Chile should. (This confirmed by Melo independently to delegation officer yesterday. [1 sentence (16 words) not declassified] Colombia will probably support.
(This confirmed by Emiliani4 (Colombia) yesterday who told US conference must succeed and if B only solution he was convinced Colombia would support although they would have to speak up strongly against “historical rights”.) Correa said Ecuador would vote for the Soviet proposal, but if B submitted he would say Ecuador [Page 770] would not “oppose” compromise and, therefore, would abstain on B. EL Salvador and Guatemala were doubtful. Panama, he thought, was almost hopeless, Venezuela was doubtful but might be influenced by Colombia’s position.
Correa concluded from above that situation for B moderately good but said US must get together with Canadians at earliest opportunity and subsequent tactics must be worked out carefully, for as soon as any agreement between Canadians and US became known Garcia Robles would go to work immediately in LA capitals to achieve defeat of B. He said he does not believe A or Canadian proposal should be put to vote as he fears this will play into Garcia Robles’ hands as latter will then try and put his proposal to vote as compromise and obfuscate situation. He recommends Soviet proposal be put to vote providing opportunity for LA twelve milers to vote in favor. Then with defeat of Soviet proposal they are in better position from viewpoint home public opinion to vote for B as only way of saving conference. He is aware pressures for vote on A but believes necessity not “rocking boat” [11 words not declassified] Correa said he believes the fishing interests of countries such as Peru and Mexico are determined to wreck the conference, and they can be very dangerous unless tactics for Alternative B are effectively worked out and worked out quickly.
Foregoing views of Correa reported fully because as Chairman Committee of Whole he receives much information and many confidences. His estimates of voting are less optimistic than ours in that we hope for ultimate support from those he regards as doubtful and possibly support from those he lists as opposing. However because of Correa’s position we believe his views deserve careful attention and weighing.