ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the attempts of twenty countries to negotiate a minerals regime for Antarctica. It examines the reasons for their decision to enter into negotiations, as well as the goals and strategies of the different countries. The chapter explores the problems associated with negotiations on important natural resources, which often involve contentious territorial claims and issues of sovereignty. It discusses the process of building consensus in multilateral negotiations and focuses on the form of decisionmaking. Informal diplomacy was an important component of these negotiations, and its role in international diplomacy is emphasized. The Antarctic Treaty grew out of the success of the International Geophysical Year of 1957-1958. The treaty that resulted from the Washington talks is generally considered to be a model example of international cooperation. The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties members are but 20 of the nearly 200 states engaged in international relations.
