FIRST FIFTY YEARS OF THE ANTARCTIC TREATY SYSTEM P A
FIRST FIFTY YEARS OF THE
ANTARCTIC TREATY SYSTEM
P
AUL
A
RTHUR
B
ERKMAN
University of California Santa Barbara
&
EvREsearch LTD
“The Antarctic Treaty is indispensable to the world of science which knows no national or other political boundaries; but it is much more than that. I believe it is a document unique in history which may take its place alongside the
Magna Carta and other great symbols of man's quest for enlightenment and order.”
“It was the IGY cooperative efforts in
Antarctica, coldest of all the continents, that witnessed the first thawing of the Cold War. It demonstrated, as never before, that the international community of science is the most hopeful of all examples of world cooperation and organization.”
L aurence G ould
INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL YEAR
JULY 1, 1957 – DECEMBER 31, 1958
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
ANTARCTIC TREATY
Signed (December 1, 1959)
Entered into Force (June 23, 1961)
Preamble
The Governments of Argentina , Australia , Belgium, Chile , the French Republic , Japan, New
Zealand , Norway , the Union of South Africa, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland , and the United States of America,
Recognizing that it is in the interest of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue for ever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord;
Acknowledging the substantial contributions to scientific knowledge resulting from international cooperation in scientific investigation in Antarctica;
Convinced that the establishment of a firm foundation for the continuation and development of such cooperation on the basis of freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica as applied during the
International Geophysical Year accords with the interests of science and the progress of all mankind;
Convinced also that a treaty ensuring the use of Antarctica for peaceful purposes only and the continuance of international harmony in Antarctica will further the purposes and principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations;
Have agreed as follows:
Article VI
1959 ANTARCTIC TREATY
Preamble Interest of all Mankind
Article I Peaceful Purposes Only
Article II Freedom of Scientific Investigation
Article III International Cooperation in Scientific Investigation
Article IV No Basis for Asserting, Supporting or Denying Claims
Article V No Nuclear Explosions or Radioactive Waste Disposal
Article VI Area of Application South of 60 o
South Latitude [
10% of the Earth]
Article VII Freedom of Access and Inspection by Designated Observers
Article VIII Jurisdiction by the Contracting Parties over their own Nationals
Article IX Consulting and Recommending Measures of Common Interest
Article X Consistent with Charter of the United Nations
Article XI Resolve Disputes by Peaceful Means
Article XII Antarctic Treaty Modifications and Amendment
Article XIII Accession and Ratification
Article XIV Official Languages and Depository Government
“MATTERS OF COMMON INTEREST”
UNITED STATES ANTARCTIC POLICY
DSDP
1972
ANTARCTIC MINERALS
GLOBAL MARKETS
1973 OPEC
Oil Embargo
Wall Street Journal (1973)
...45 billion barrels of oil and 115 trillion cubic feet of natural gas could be recovered from the continental shelf of West Antarctica.
EVOLUTION OF THE ANTARCTIC TREATY SYSTEM
Antarctic Treaty
Searchable Database
7 th Edition (1959-2006)
The integrated public-domain documents in this digital library are derived from hardcopy and electronic versions provided by the Department of State, Marine
Mammal Commission, Committee on Environmental Protection, host nations of the Antarctic
Treaty Consultative Meetings and the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat.
ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
CONCEPT = “MINOR OR TRANSITORY”
CONCEPT TRENDS
CONCEPT LINKAGES
ANTOSTRAT
“…for peaceful purposes only…”
