ABSTRACT
The interests of the international community could be met only within the Antarctic Treaty System the marine resource negotiations of 1977-80 emphasised this point since any international regime would bring instability, thereby harming both Antarctic and global interests. In general the Consultative Parties have remained anxious to preserve the UN's non-role in the region, and this attitude led the 1964 Consultative Meeting to decide against any action upon a British proposal to clarify the treaty system's relationship with international organisations. The anxiety that 'Antarctica could blow the Conference right out of the water' encouraged the UNCLOS negotiators to steer clear of Antarctica and reduced the level of governmental pressure against the Antarctic Treaty System. In general, the critics of the Antarctic Treaty System spoke a similar language, but failed to come together in a coherent and consistent campaign, such as demonstrated by the occasional statements of the Algerian, Guinean, Libyan and Sri Lankan governments.
