1725

This Treaty shall be subject to ratification and shall enter into force on the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification.; The maritime boundary between the United States of America and the Cook Islands shall be determined by the geodetic lines connecting the co-ordinates set out in Article I. O n the side of the maritime boundary adjacent to the Cook Islands, the United States of America shall not, and on the side of the maritime boundary adjacent to American Samoa the Cook Islands shall not, claim or exercise for any purpose sovereign rights or jurisdiction over the waters or seabed and subsoil. The maritime boundary established by this Treaty shall not affect or prejudice in any manner any government's position with respect to the rules of international law concerned with the exerc ise of jurisdiction over the waters or seabed and subsoil or any other matter relating to the law of the sea. The United States of America recognises the sovereignty of the Cook Islands over the islands of Penrhyn, Pukapuka (Danger), Manihiki and Rakahanga. In the spirit of friendship, the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Cook Islands shall promote discussions between their peoples and appropriate government entities, in particular between the peoples of the C ook Islands and American Samoa. (7 Articles); FAO Descriptors: 110; 010