Text of the Antarctic Treaty

The Governments of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile,
                                             the French

Republic, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Union of South Africa, the

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom
                                             of Great

Britain
                                             and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America,

 Recognizing that it is 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;

 Acknowledging the substantial
                                             contributions to scientific

knowledge resulting from international cooperation in scientific

investigation in Antarctica;

 Convinced that the establishment of a firm foundation for the

continuation and
                                             development of such cooperation on the basis of

freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica as applied during

the International Geophysical Year accords
                                             with the interests of

science and the progress of all mankind;

 Convinced also that a treaty ensuring the use of Antarctica

for peaceful purposes only and the continuance of international

harmony in Antarctica will further the purposes and principles

embodied in the Charter
                                             of the United Nations;