demonstrations ofmilitary forcewhicharemoreprovocative totheothersidethan reassuring. Assuch,intheopinion ofnon-aligned andneutral States, naval exercises andtraining ofthisnature aremorelikelytounsettle international security thantoconsolidate it:thismaybeparticularly sointhecaSeof large-scale exercises, especially ifworld-wide, whichareclearly designed to createexercise conditions andincidents closetothoseanticipated intheeventof actualconflict. Therehavebeeninstances ofundulyprolonged navalmanoeuvres which, eventhoughcarried outwiththeapproval ofanadjacent coastal State, have ineffectconstituted arisktotheregionorsub-region involved, including the potential aggravation ofconflicts. 264.Theprinciple offreedom otnaVigation ontheworld's oceans makesacoastal Statetheneighbour acrosstheseaofeveryothercoastal State, inclUding all significant navalPowers. Whilenavalforceshavetherecognized legalrightto cruise andoperate offthecoastsofforeign States, coastal States, particularly /...A/40/535 English Page73 thosewhicharesmallormediuminsize,haveontheotherhandalegitimate claim forareasonable "seaboard security' andshouldnotbesubjected topower projection possibly originating fromsuchactivities. Itshould benotedinthis regardthattheConvention ontheLawoftheSeaincludes balanced provisions which wouldmeetsecurity needsofbothflagStatesandcoastal Statesprovided theyare strictly implemented. Itshouldalsobenotedthatthesecurity ofbothcategories ofStatescouldbefurther enhanced bymeansofagreedconfidence- and security-building measures inharmony withtheConvention andcustomary international law. 265.Itistruethatnavalexercises arenotlimited tothenavalforcesofthetwo mainalliances: exercises andco-operative manoeuvres takeplacebetween the naviesofmanycountries, butforthemostpartsuchactivities areseenasmore regional orsubregional innature andtheydonothavethepotential forglobal confrontation. 266.Whenemployed onnormaldeployments aspartofnational peacetime tasks, activities byworld-wide andblue-water naviesoutside theirownterritorial and regional areascanbecome asignificant political factorinregional andlocal situations. Asstatedpreviously, theknowledge thatthereisastrongnaval presence inthearea,particularly ifitisknowntohavethecapability of projecting military forceonshore,canbecomeanimportant political factorin regional andlocalsituations. Manyregional States maybecomeconcerned atthe implications ofsuchdeployments forregional security andstrongly dislike the implied threat, realorperceived, ofexternal intervention intheregional or internal affairs ofotherStates. 267.Extra-regional States mayconsider thattheyhavespecific national interests intheareaconcerned thatnecessitate navalpresence. Inthiscontextitis relevant toconsider thenatureofsuchnavalpresence inareasthatareoftenfar fromthenational territory oftheStateorStatesconcerned. 268.Inthefirstcategory, therearesuchactivities asroutine co-operation in timesofpeacebetween thenaviesofmaritime Powersandthoseofcoastal States. Thesecantaketheformofjointmanoeuvres andothertraditional activities arising frombilateral ormultilateral agreements ofco-operation, support or assistance between States. 269.Thesecondcategory arises fromthedevelopment ofserious localconflicts not directly linkedtoanyconfrontation between majorPowers. Insuchcasestheremay belegitimate interests byextra-regional Statesinthemaintenance ofthefreedom ofnavigation andthecontinuation ofmaritime tradeinordertofacilitate the transportation ofvitalcommodities, totheextent thatsuchnavalactivities remaininconformity withtheCharter oftheUnitedNations andtheprovisions of theConvention ontheLawoftheSea. 270.Athirdcategory isthatinwhichconfrontation between thetwoprincipal military Statesisprojected tootherregions through navalpresence. Therewould appeartobecertain casesinwhichsuchconfrontation hasbeenspreadtodistant geographical areaswhichwerepreviously freeofexternal involvement. Itis I...A/40/535 English Page74 widelybelieved thatthedispatch ofwarships asa"showofforce", orasaformof coercion orotherpressure, particularly toareasofinternational tension, can oftenhaveharmful ~atherthanhelpfUl effects oriregional security. 271.Finally. thereisthecategory inwhichopenconflict takesplaceandinwhich oneoftheparties isasignificant navalPoweractinginatheatre ofoperations
**Analysis**
The text discusses the role of naval exercises and the presence of naval forces in international waters, highlighting the potential implications for regional security and the concerns of coastal states. It also touches on the concept of "seaboard security" and the need for balance between the security needs of flag states and coastal states. The text does not explicitly discuss economic development, natural resources, or environmental issues, but rather focuses on the political and security implications of naval activities.

**Category**
Transport and communication, International trade