146. Memorandum of Conversation0
SUBJECT
- Law of the Sea Conference
PARTICIPANTS
- [Here follows the same list as Document 139.]
Secretary Herter discussed the forthcoming Law of the Sea Conference. He recalled that the last Conference on Law of the Sea had broken up without agreement on the question of territorial seas. He said that the United States Defense Department, particularly the Navy, is seriously concerned by efforts to establish a 12-mile limit to the territorial waters. This will create serious difficulties for our Navy. He mentioned that Mr. Dean is now doing preparatory work for the forthcoming Conference. The position that we hope to obtain support for from two-thirds of the countries is for a six-mile limit with an additional six-mile zone in which historic fishing rights would be retained but phased out over a period equivalent to the average time required to amortize a fishing vessel. American fishing interests which are quite strong, would, of course, prefer a twelve-mile limit but they recognize that the security problem is more important.
Secretary Herter expressed the hope that the Japanese Government would give sympathetic consideration to our position. He mentioned that Mr. Takahashi was being fully informed of our position. He said that the United States realizes that its position creates problems but hopes that its friends will support it since it is impossible to obtain sufficient support for a three-mile territorial sea which is most desirable.
Prime Minister Kishi commented that Japan has a very close interest and concern with the problem of the territorial sea. It does not wish to see the territorial sea extended from the standpoint of its security and fishing interests. He thought that perhaps the Japanese position on this matter was even stronger than that of the United States.
- Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 559, CF 1584. Confidential. Drafted by Sneider and approved in S. See also Documents 139–145.↩