Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XLI, Global Issues II

201. Letter From Secretary of Defense Carlucci to Secretary of State Shultz¹

Washington, May 6, 1988

Dear George:

(C) The Joint Chiefs of Staff and I believe that extending the U.S. territorial sea to 12 nautical miles and the outer limit of the contiguous zone to 24 nautical miles would enhance the national security and other essential interests of the United States.

(C) We believe the most effective and expeditious way to achieve the benefits of extending the territorial sea and contiguous zone is through a Presidential proclamation. A Presidential proclamation would be effective for foreign policy purposes when issued, and the improved security that we seek from extending the U.S. territorial sea and contiguous zone could be realized immediately. Congress and the executive branch could address in due course domestic legal and resource issues that would inevitably arise by virtue of the extension of U.S. sovereignty and jurisdiction. We will participate fully in formulating the legal regime within the extended maritime claims. Enclosed is a draft Presidential proclamation (Annex A),² with accompanying Fact Sheet (Annex B),³ for your consideration.

(C) Accordingly, I request you convene an Interagency Group on Ocean Policy and the Law of the Sea, as soon as possible, to consider recommending that the President sign a proclamation along the lines of the enclosed proposal. I look forward to working closely with you on this matter.⁴

Sincerely,

Frank

1. Source: Reagan Library, Papers of George P. Shultz, Law of the Sea. Confidential.
2. Attached but not printed.
3. Attached but not printed
4. In a May 21 letter to Carlucci, Shultz wrote that he had “directed that the Interagency Group on Oceans Policy and Law of the Sea be convened soon to consider the matter.” (Reagan Library, Papers of George P. Shultz, Law of the Sea)