455. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Battle) to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)1

SUBJECT

  • Recent Antarctic Developments

The Antarctic Treaty was signed at Washington on December 1, 1959 by the following 12 countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, U.S.S.R., United Kingdom, and United States. The Treaty entered into force on June 23, 1961 upon the simultaneous deposit on that date of the ratifications of Argentina, Australia and Chile.

The Treaty provided that a Consultative Meeting be held at Canberra within two months after the date of entry into force of the Treaty. The Canberra Meeting was held July 10–24, 1961.2

At Canberra 16 recommendations in furtherance of the principles and objectives of the treaty were unanimously approved. These recommendations will now be submitted to the Governments concerned for approval.

On the whole, the recommendations conformed to United States positions adopted prior to the Meeting. They relate mainly to scientific and logistic cooperation in Antarctica, conservation of living resources, and preservation of historic sites. A recommendation was also approved that the Governments exchange information on the application of nuclear equipment and techniques in Antarctica. An Australian proposal to create a secretariat to service the Antarctic Treaty and to locate it at Canberra was rejected. We believe that there is as yet no demonstrated need for such a secretariat, and that if there is to be one, it should be in Washington. Antarctic discussions have been centered here for the past several years and all the Treaty signatories are adequately represented here.

It was decided to hold the next meeting at Buenos Aires, approximately a year from now.

[Page 1036]

The Canberra Meeting was more of a technical meeting than was the Conference on Antarctica. The agenda did not include items that directly concerned such important Treaty provisions as nonmilitarization and inspection in Antarctica.

The attitude of the Soviet delegation was friendly and cooperative throughout. This is in keeping with the generally cooperative attitude they have shown in Antarctica since the days of the IGY. The Soviets raised no controversial issues, nor did they raise the question of Polish participation in the Meeting.

Poland acceded to the Treaty on June 8, 1961. She did not, however, seek to be included among the countries participating in the Canberra Meeting. We would have opposed such a request on the grounds that Poland is not entitled to participate in the meetings since she is not engaged in “substantial scientific research activity” in Antarctica. This is a Treaty requirement that all acceding countries must fulfill before they are entitled to participate in the Consultative Meetings.

Following the abolition of the OCB by Executive Order on February 18, 1961, the Department of State assumed the responsibility of providing policy guidance on Antarctica and ensuring coordination for all activities in Antarctica. Since March 3 weekly meetings for this purpose have been held under the chairmanship of Mr. George H. Owen, Special Assistant for Antarctica in the Department of State.

These meetings are attended by representatives of Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, Department of Commerce, Department of the Interior, CIA, USIA, and Bureau of the Budget. At the meetings there is discussion and decision on action with respect to the great variety of problems that arise in connection with Antarctic operations and planning. The main purpose is coordination in specific matters as well as long-term plans. Participants are the officials mainly concerned with Antarctic operations in each agency.

Donald B. Easum 3
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, IO Files: Lot 69 D 169, Antarctica Files, 1961–1962, Administrative, Within USG, 1961. Official Use Only. Drafted by Fisher on July 27 and cleared by Wilson (IO).
  2. For text of the report of the U.S. delegation to the First Consultative Meeting, see ibid., Antarctica Public Relations, Congressional, 1962. Recommendations adopted at the Consultative Meeting are printed in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1961, pp. 458–465.
  3. Easum signed for Battle above Battle’s typed signature.