The Antarctic Treaty
Background
The Antarctic continent is vast. It embraces the South Pole with
permanent ice and snow. It is encircled by floating barriers of ice,
stormy seas and appalling weather. Its great altitude chills the air to
extremes, and its descent to sea level across a moving ice sheet
generates the world's strongest winds. The cycling seasons reveal the
spectacular natural forces of our planet. The surrounding seas teem with
wildlife. And just 2% of this continent is free of ice, allowing a
small toe-hold for hardy animals and plants.
The Antarctic Treaty
The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the
twelve nations that had been active during the IGY (Argentina,
Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South
Africa, United Kingdom, United States and USSR). The Treaty, which
applies to the area south of 60° South latitude, is surprisingly short,
but remarkably effective. Through this agreement, the countries active
in Antarctica consult on the uses of a whole continent, with a
commitment that it should not become the scene or object of
international discord.
Articles of the Antarctic Treaty
ReplyDeleteArticle 1 – The area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose;
Article 2 – Freedom of scientific investigations and cooperation shall continue;
Article 3 – Free exchange of information and personnel in cooperation with the United Nations and other international agencies;
Article 4 – The treaty does not recognize, dispute, nor establish territorial sovereignty claims; no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force;
Article 5 – The treaty prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes;
Article 6 – Includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves but not the surrounding waters south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south;
Article 7 – Treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all activities and of the introduction of military personnel must be given;
Article 8 – Allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states;
Article 9 – Frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations;
Article 10 – All treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty;
Article 11 – All disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the International Court of Justice;
Articles 12, 13, 14 – Deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations.
The main objective of the ATS is to ensure in the interests of all humankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord. The treaty forbids any measures of a military nature, but not the presence of military personnel.
The Antarctic Treaty was designed to provide an agreement for the future care and use of Antarctica, as well as the avoid territorial and other disputes. It encourages international cooperation in scientific research - it is an extraordinary agreement that was signed during the Cold War!
ReplyDeleteCurrently, 49 nations have agreed to the Antarctic Treaty, but only 28 participate in the decision making process. These 28 include the original 12 signatories and other countries with substantial Antarctic research programs. Only the Consultative Parties participate in the decision-making at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM), and every decision requires a consensus. However, nations who conduct scientific research on the continent can request they be recognised as Consultative Parties.
As for birthdays, today Henry William Williamson (1895 – 1977) was born, n English naturalist, farmer and prolific author known for his natural and social history novels. He won the Hawthornden Prize for literature in 1928 with his book Tarka the Otter. He is also known for his novels The Wet Flanders Plain (1929), The Patriot's Progress (1930), and the semi-autobiographical 15-book series A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight (1951-1969).
ReplyDeleteThe main purpose of the Antarctic Treaty, which was signed in Washington on December 1, 1959, is to ensure "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.
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