181. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Clark) to Secretary of State Shultz and the Representative to the United Nations (Kirkpatrick)1
SUBJECT
- Law of the Sea Resolution at the UN General Assembly (U)
A draft resolution on Law of the Sea (LOS), recently tabled at the UN General Assembly, contains objectionable provisions—including approval to finance the Preparatory Commission under the LOS treaty out of the regular UN budget.2 (U)
Given the U.S. decisions not to sign the treaty and not to participate in the Preparatory Commission, because of a number of unacceptable elements in the seabed part, it is important that every effort be made in New York and in appropriate capitals to change or defeat that part of the resolution in a way that would not include any U.S. contributions [Page 520] to financing the Preparatory Commission. Efforts should also be made to change or defeat other objectionable aspects. (C)
Your review of the options available to the United States, in the event the resolution passes with provision for financing the Preparatory Commission out of the regular UN budget, would be appreciated at the earliest possible date. (C)
FOR THE PRESIDENT:
- Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, P820166–2288. Confidential.↩
- In telegram 3084 from New York, October 28, USUN outlined a draft resolution regarding the financing of the Preparatory Commission. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D820559–0648)↩
- Clark signed Bill Clark above his typed signature.↩