Proclamation by the Governor of Kuwait of 12 June 1949

Page 1 National legislation - DOALOS/OLA - United Nations asdf PROCLAMATION BY THE RULER OF KUWAIT OF 12 JUNE 1949 Whereas it is desirable to give encouragement to any efforts which will bring about greater utilization of the world's natural resources; Whereas valuable resources may underlie parts of the Persian Gulf off the coasts of Kuwait and it is becoming increasingly practicable to utilize such submerged resources; Wheras it is desirable in the interests of protection, conservation and orderly developmemnt that the exploitation of such resources should be properly controlled; Whereas it is just that the sea-bed and sub-soil extending to a reasonable distance from the coast should appertain to and be controlled by the littoral State to which it is adjacent; Whereas the right of a littoral State to exercise its control over natural resources of sea-bed and sub-soil adjacent to its coasts has been established in international practice by the action of other States; Now therefore we the Ruler of Kuwait in pursuance of all powers enabling us in that behalf are pleased to proclaim and it is hereby proclaimed as follows: The Ruler of Kuwait hereby declares that the sea-bed and sub-soil lying beneath the high seas of the Persian Gulf contiguous to the territorial waters of the State of Kuwait and extending seaward to boundaries to be determined more precisely as occasion may arise on equitable principles by the Ruler of Kuwait after consulting neighbouring States, appertain to the State of Kuwait and are subject to its exclusive jurisdiction and control. Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to affect sovereignty over the islands or the status of the sea-bed and sub-soil beneath any territorial waters; Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to affect the character as high seas of the waters of the Persian Gulf above the sea-bed and outside the limits of territorial waters or the status of air space above the waters of the Persian Gulf outside territorial waters or fishing and traditional pearling rights in such waters.