Nations Security Council, to do everything in their power so that conflicts or situations will not arise which would serve to increase international tensions. Accordingly, they will seek to promote conditions in which all countries will live in peace and security and will not be subject to outside interference in their internal affairs.

Fourth. The USA and the USSR intend to widen the juridical basis of their mutual relations and to exert the necessary efforts so that

bilateral agreements which they have concluded and multilateral (treaties and agreements to which they are jointly parties are faithfully implemented.

Fifth. The USA and the USSR reaffirm their readiness to continue the practice of exchanging views on problems of mutual interest and, when necessary, to conduct such exchanges at the highest level, including meetings between leaders of the two countries.

The two governments welcome and will facilitate an increase in productive contacts between representatives of the legislative bodies of the two countries.

Sixth. The Parties will continue their efforts to limit armaments on a bilateral as well as on a multilateral basis. They will continue to make special efforts to limit strategic armaments. Whenever possible, they will conclude concrete agreements aimed at achieving these purposes.

The USA and the USSR regard as the ultimate objective of their efforts the achievement of general and complete disarmament and the establishment of an effective system of international security in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Seventh. The USA and the USSR regard commercial and economic ties as an important and necessary element in the strengthening of their bilateral relations and thus will actively promote the growth of such ties. They will facilitate cooperation between the relevant organizations and enterprises of the two countries and the conclusion of appropriate agreements and contracts

, including long-term ones

. The two countries will contribute to the improvement of maritime and air communications between them.

Eighth. The two sides consider it timely and useful to develop mutual contacts and cooperation in the fields of science and technology. Where suitable, the USA and the USSR will conclude appropriate agreements dealing with concrete cooperation in these fields. Ninth. The two sides reaffirm their intention to deepen cultural ties with one another and to encourage fuller familiarization with each other's cultural values. They will promote improved conditions for cultural exchanges and tourism.

Tenth. The USA and the USSR will seek to ensure that their ties and cooperation in all the above-mentioned fields and in any others in their mutual interest are built on a firm and long-term basis. To give a permanent character to these efforts, they will establish in all fields where this is feasible joint commissions or other joint bodies.

Elerenth. The USA and the USSR make no claim for themselves and would not recognize the claims of anyone else to any special rights or advantages in world affairs. They recognize the sovereign equality The development of U.S.-Soviet relations is not directed against third countries and their interests.

Twelfth. The basic principles set forth in this document do not affect any obligations with respect to other countries earlier assumed by the USA and the USSR. Moscow, May 29, 1972. For the United States of America:

RICHARD Nixon,

President of the United States of America. For the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics :

LEONID I. BREZHNEV, General Secretary of the Central Committee, CÓSU.

13. AGREEMENT ON THE PREVENTION OF INCIDENTS

AT SEA (1972)

Agreement on the Prevention of Incidents On and Over

the High Seas

Agreement signed at Moscow May 25, 1972
Entered into force May 25, 1972
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST
REPUBLICS ON THE PREVENTION OF INCIDENTS ON AND OVER THE
High SEAS
The Government of the United States of America and the Govern-
ment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,

Desiring to assure the safety of navigation of the ships of their respective armed forces on the high seas and flight of their military aircraft over the high seas, and

Guided by the principles and rules of international law, Have decided to conclude this Agreement and have agreed as follows:

Article I For the purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply: 1. "Ship” means:

(a) A warship belonging to the naval forces of the Parties bearing the external marks distinguishing warships of its nationality, under the command of an officer duly commissioned by the government and whose name appears in the Navy list, and manned by a crew who are under regular naval discipline;

(6) Naval auxiliaries of the Parties, which include all naval ships authorized to fly the naval auxiliary flag where such a flag

has been established by either Party. 2. "Aircraft” means aïl military manned heavier-than-air and lighter-than-air craft, excluding space craft.

3. "Formation" means an ordered arrangement of two or more ships proceeding together and normally maneuvered together.

a

Article II

The Parties shall take measures to instruct the commanding officers of their respective ships to observe strictly the letter and spirit of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, hereinafter referred to as the Rules of the Road. The Parties recognize that their freedom to conduct operations on the high seas is based on the

56

principles established under recognized international law and codi fied in the 1958 Geneva Convention on the High Seas.

Article III

1. In all cases ships operating in proximity to each other, except when required to maintain course and speed under the Rules of the Road, shall remain well clear to avoid risk of collision.

2. Ships meeting or operating in the vicinity of a formation of the other Party shall, while conforming to the Rules of the Road, avoid maneuvering in a manner which would hinder the evolutions of the formation.

his

fring over the high.

estions shall, whenever feas

3. Formations shall not conduct maneuvers through areas of heavutation of actions on the high

traffic where internationally recognized traffic separation schemes are in effect.

57

Article V

eating in sight of one

g their intent to begin la

other powerful illumination devices to illuminate the navigation, bridges of passing ships of the other Party.

7. When conducting exercises with submerged submarines, exercis ing ships shall show the appropriate signals prescribed by the Inter national Code of Signals to warn ships of the presence of submarine in the area.

4. Ships engaged in surveillance of other ships shall stay at a distance which avoids the risk of collision and also shall avoid executing inaneuvers embarrassing or endangering the ships under surveillance Except when required to maintain course and speed under the Rules the Road, a surveillant shall take positive early action so as, in the exercise of good seamanship, not to embarrass or endanger ships under surveillance.

of

such signals (flag, sound, and light) as are prescribed by the Rules of hitting such signal

5. When ships of both parties maneuver in sight of one another.

8. Ships of one Party when approaching ships of the other Party conducting operations as set forth in Rule 4(c) of the Rules of the Road, and particularly ships engaged in launching or landing aircraf

Article VI

established system of ra

to mariners, not less tha

Article VII

the Road, the International Code of Signals, or other mutually agreed
signals, shall be adhered to for signalling operations and intentionser States
6. Ships of the Parties shall not simulate attacks by aiming guns
missile launchers, torpedo tubes, and other weapons in the direction
of a passing ship of the other Party, not launch any object in the di

o

change appropriate in

rection of passing ships of the other Party, and not use searchlights dents which result in

hinder maneuvers of such ships and shal

to aircraft in flight.

of the informative sig als to signify the inter

ering in proximity to o dibility, or under The signal flags are not d her ships of maneuvers involve a risk of collision. asis signals additional to

Article IV

Commanders of aircraft of the Parties shall use the greatest caution and prudence in approaching aircraft and ships of the other Party operating on and over the high seas, in particular, ships engaged in launching or landing aircraft, and in the interest of mutual safety shall not permit: simulated attacks by the simulated use of weapons against aircraft and ships, or performance of various aerobatics over ships, or dropping various objects near them in such a manner as t be hazardous to ships or to constitute a hazard to navigation.

tative Organization for

ips and aircraft of th de such information th and the Soviet Narr United States Naval A

as well as ships engaged in replenishment underway, shall take at further action by th

propriate measures not to

remain well clear.

Article VIII

all enter into force on t force for a period of th

As each.

arbe terminated by eithe er Party.

Article IX

eet within one year a

t

Article V

1. Ships of the Parties operating in sight of one another shall raise proper signals concerning their intent to begin launching or landing aircraft.

2. Aircraft of the Parties flying over the high seas in darkness or under instrument conditions shall, whenever feasible, display navigation lights.

Article VI Both Parties shall:

1. Provide through the established system of radio broadcasts of information and warning to mariners, not less than 3 to 5 days in advance as a rule, notification of actions on the high seas which represent a danger to navigation or to aircraft in flight.

2. Make increased use of the informative signals contained in the International Code of Signals to signify the intentions of their respective ships when maneuvering in proximity to one another. At night, or in conditions of reduced visibility, or under conditions of lighting and such distances when signal flags are not distinct, flashing light should be used to inform ships of maneuvers which may hinder the movements of others or involve a risk of collision.

3. Utilize on a trial basis signals additional to those in the International Code of Signals, submitting such signals to the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization for its consideration and for the information of other States.

Article VII

The Parties shall exchange appropriate information concerning instances of collision, incidents which result in damage, or other incidents at sea between ships and aircraft of the Parties. The United States Navy shall provide such information through the Soviet Naval Attache in Washington and the Soviet Navy shall provide such information through the United States Naval Attache in Moscow.

Article VIII

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of its signature and shall remain in force for a period of three years. It will thereafter be renewed without further action by the Parties for successive periods of three years each.

This Agreement may be terminated by either Party upon six months written notice to the other Party.

Article IX

The Parties shall meet within one year after the date of the signing of this Agreement to review the implementation of its terms. Similar consultations shall be held thereafter annually, or more frequently as the Parties may decide.

Article X

The Parties shall designate members to form a Committee which will consider specific measures in conformity with this Agreement.