Niue – United States Maritime Boundary Treaty
Encyclopedia
The Niue – United States Maritime Boundary Treaty is a 1997 treaty
that delimits
the maritime boundary
between Niue
and American Samoa
.
The treaty was signed in Wellington
, New Zealand
on 13 May 1997 by Niuean Premier
Frank Lui
and United States Ambassador Josiah Beeman. In the treaty, the boundary
is 279 nautical miles long, runs in a rough east–west direction, and is composed of 18 straight-line maritime
sengments defined by reference to 19 individual coordinate points.
The treaty was submitted to the United States Senate
for ratification
by U.S. President Bill Clinton
on 23 June 1998.
The full name of the treaty is the Treaty between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Niue on the delimitation of a maritime boundary.
Treaty
A treaty is an express agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law, namely sovereign states and international organizations. A treaty may also be known as an agreement, protocol, covenant, convention or exchange of letters, among other terms...
that delimits
Boundary delimitation
Boundary delimitation, or simply delimitation, is the term used to describe the drawing of boundaries, but is most often used to describe the drawing of electoral boundaries, specifically those of precincts, states, counties or other municipalities...
the maritime boundary
Maritime boundary
Maritime boundary is a conceptual means of division of the water surface of the planet into maritime areas that are defined through surrounding physical geography or by human geography. As such it usually includes areas of exclusive national rights over the mineral and biological resources,...
between Niue
Niue
Niue , is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the "Rock of Polynesia", and inhabitants of the island call it "the Rock" for short. Niue is northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest, and the Cook Islands to...
and American Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
.
The treaty was signed in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
on 13 May 1997 by Niuean Premier
Premier of Niue
The Premier of Niue is Niue's head of government. He or she is elected by the Niue Assembly, and forms a Cabinet consisting of him- or herself and three other members of the Assembly....
Frank Lui
Frank Lui
Frank Fakaotimanava Lui, CNZM is a former Premier of the Pacific Island state of Niue. Frank Lui was elected into office in the General Elections of early 1993, taking over from the interim premiership of Young Vivian, which was put in place following the passing of long-serving Premier Sir Robert...
and United States Ambassador Josiah Beeman. In the treaty, the boundary
Border
Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...
is 279 nautical miles long, runs in a rough east–west direction, and is composed of 18 straight-line maritime
Ocean
An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...
sengments defined by reference to 19 individual coordinate points.
The treaty was submitted to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
for ratification
Ratification
Ratification is a principal's approval of an act of its agent where the agent lacked authority to legally bind the principal. The term applies to private contract law, international treaties, and constitutionals in federations such as the United States and Canada.- Private law :In contract law, the...
by U.S. President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
on 23 June 1998.
The full name of the treaty is the Treaty between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Niue on the delimitation of a maritime boundary.