Speech #900161228

The International Law Commission of the United States. in preparation for the Conferences on the Law of the Sea. reached the conclusion that although international practice is not uniform as regards delimitation of the territorial sea. it nevertheless considers that international law does not permit an extension of the territorial sea beyond 12 miles. In its view. the farreaching claims of the Latin American countries jeopardize the principle of the freedom of the seas. Also. In the Convention on the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone. as adopted. in article 24 It Is stated that the contiguous zone for customs. fiscal. sanitary. and immigration purposes shall not exceed 12 miles. Obviously there is a need for agreement with regard to the fisheries interests. Another conference would seem to be in order.