Text 3. What is treaty? part II

Negotiation. In monarchies, the king or queen and his or her legal agents have the power to make treaties and are represented at negotiations by a diplomatic agent, or envoy. For example, in Great Britain neither house of Parliament has any power over treaties. That power is reserved for the British Crown or Cabinet.

In republics, the chief executive usually has treaty-making power. This power is often subject to various restrictions. In the United States, the president may enter into a treaty with "the advice and consent" of the Senate. Two-thirds of the senators present must agree to the treaty terms. The Department of State carries on treaty negotiations. Sometimes the president enters into an executive agreement with a foreign country. This kind of agreement has the force of a treaty in international law, but it does not require the approval of the Senate.

Language used. Until the 1700s, all treaties were written in Latin. Then French became the official language. Today, most treaties are written in the various languages of the treaty-making nations.

Enforcement of treaties. In ancient times, a country had to "back up," or guarantee, its treaty promises. One way of doing this was to exchange hostages. Each country that signed the treaty would send one or more important people to the other countries that had agreed to the treaty. Hostages were held as prisoners. They could be killed if the terms of the treaty were not carried out.

The hostage system has not been used for many years. Today, most countries rely on the good faith of other countries, and on international public opinion. In many countries, treaties have the force of law. As a result, treaty provisions become legal requirements for officials. At the same time, however, nations may repeal or abolish treaties, as they do their own laws. But such actions are generally subject to certain international consequences.

Termination. Treaties may be ended in many ways. They may end upon the agreement of all parties concerned. Sometimes treaty clause permits either party to cancel the agreement after due notice. The failure of one country to carry out its part of the agreement may cause the other country or countries to refuse to observe the treaty terms. A treaty becomes void when the physical conditions of the agreement become impossible to fulfill. War nullifies many treaties.

Ecclesiastical treaties deal with the religious rights of people who are living in a foreign country. Among Western nations, people may worship as freely in foreign lands as in their homelands. In several non-Christian parts of the world, Christian missionaries are permitted by treaty to teach the beliefs of Christianity. In some countries, ecclesiastical treaties permit foreign residents to practice their own religions but forbid them to try to convert others.

1. Match the synonyms.

diplomatic agent to back up negotiation to repeal treaties termination

to abolish treaties envoy to guarantee discussion the end