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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 58 (1974)

Issue: 7. (July)

First Page: 1433

Last Page: 1434

Title: Trans-Pacific Consultation Crisis: ABSTRACT

Author(s): H. Cleveland

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

The discovery and technical development of hydrocarbons, minerals, geothermal energy, hydrogeology, and coal in the Pacific will be a technical challenge of great complexity. The total-systems consideration which will be faced in the development of any of these resources may match in complexity such things as the advance systems in weaponry and in space. These complexities, however, are far more manageable than the complexities of the institutions which must

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be built to manage, distribute equitably, and share cooperatively in the wealth these resources will provide.

The total set of monetary systems in the Pacific is perhaps more numerous and more complex than those in the western hemisphere. The mysteries of the Soviet and Chinese monetary systems must be made compatible with the intricacies of the yen and the dollar. Associated with these monetary policies are economic and political policies of the Circum-Pacific nations which themselves will have difficulties in interfacing and interacting without generating misunderstanding and conflict.

Central to the solution of the dilemmas posed by such interactions is the development of truly effective consultative organizations. If the nations are unable to develop such mechanisms, we may find the development of international corporate and cartel structures as the only alternative to achieve a viable development of the resources. History has shown that such cartels are in the long run internationally unacceptable and are unable to operate for the benefit of the consuming populations. It is clear that the energy and minerals crunch is proceeding at such a pace that an international consultative mechanism must develop either among nations or among corporations. In this sense, there is an international situation that can be said to be a Trans-Pacific consultation crisis. The soluti n to this crisis requires more than a formal organization it also requires the development of consultative mechanisms which permit rapid education and reeducation of participating states, opportunities for assessment and reassessment of national policies, rapid means of communicating unofficially the trend of these policies, and the development of the rapid feedback mechanisms which are required to prevent "shokus" and other economic and political dislocations and confrontations.

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Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists