"have the right of access to the geostationary orbit spectrum in order to fulfill their requirements." No preferential rights can be derived from this language. If anything, it is supportive of the free use provisions of Articles 1 through 3 of the 1967 Principles Treaty. This is consistent with the ITU's position that the geostationary satellite orbit, like the radio-frequency spectrum, is a natural resource " to be exploited for the benefit of all and are not subject to appropriation." In 1977 the ITU emphasized that the general principles governing its activities include "the effective use of the orbit/spectrum and the equal rights of all countries." It should not be forgotten, however, that at the 1977 WARC BS Conference the ITU made plans for submissions to the 1979 Conference, which, if accepted, would allow the ITU to allocate geostationary orbital positions as well as frequencies to Region 1 and 3 States for channels in the 12 GHz band. It will also be recalled that the 1977 Conference prepared a "Plan" for the consideration of a Region 2 Conference prior to 1982 in which the Conference would be asked to allocate orbital positions at geostationary levels that would not be in conflict with others previously made. The claims for preferential rights respecting space environment resources have taken two courses. The claims that have just been identified Ibid., paragraph 4. International Telecommunication Union. Report on Types of Assistance Extended by the United Nations System to Developing Countries in the Field of Practical Applications of Space Technology, U.N. Doc. A/AC.105/124/Add. 1, p. 13, April 3, 1974. International Telecommunication Union. Seventeenth Report by the International Telecommunication Union on Telecommunication and the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, U.N. Doc. A/AC.105/213, p. 5, December 22, 1977.
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