What is the history of the UNCLOS requirement for a minimum ratio of water
to "land" in order for an island state to be entitled to draw archipelagic
baselines?
It is obvious that a maximum ratio is needed, but it seems counter-
intuitive to me that Malta cannot draw archipelagic baselines, but Sao
Tome and Principe can.
My question is not why the minimum ratio is 1:1, but how the concept of a
minimum ratio even occured to anyone.
Were there certain island states which other negotiators specifically
wanted to deny archipelagic status?
Many thanks to anyone who can shed some light on this.
|