Изменение границ и территориальные споры

 

Принцип нерушимости и неприкосновенности государственных границ, неприкосновенности и целостности государственной территории, особая стабильность договоров о границах не исключают возможности мирного изменения границ по договоренности между сопредельными государствами и в соответствии с международным правом. Современное международное право дает для изменения границ три основания, которые связаны с изменением принадлежности территории. Во-первых, это осуществление народами и нациями права на самоопределение. Во-вторых, это обмен небольшими участками территории между сопредельными государствами в целях установления более удобного положения линии границы на местности. В-третьих, стороны могут обмениваться небольшими и равноценными участками территории при демаркации или редемаркации границы, когда возникает необходимость ее спрямления на отдельных участках.

Среди доказательств, применяемых для выявления положения границы, первое и основное место занимают положения договоров, устанавливающих данную границу, поскольку именно они ясно выражают намерения, волю и согласие сторон относительно положения границы. Географические карты могут в определенной степени служить доказательством того или иного положения линии границы. Общепризнанно, что главную роль играют те географические карты, которые прилагаются к договору о делимитации, поскольку на них наносится линия границы в соответствии с договорными положениями.

2. Make up 5 questions to the text.

3. Complete the following passage, using suitable forms of the words below.

 

Establish, refrain, controversy, commit, coalition, solidarity, face, intend

International reaction to South Ossetia war

 

In response to Russia–Georgia war in 2008, Russia 1) …. strong criticism from the US, the United Kingdom, Poland, Sweden and the Baltic states. George W. Bush warned Russia: "Bullying and intimidation are not acceptable ways to conduct foreign policy in the 21st century. In contrast, Italy was more supportive of Russia, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini stating "We cannot create an anti-Russia 2) … in Europe, and on this point we are close to Putin's position". France and Germany took an intermediate position, 3) … from naming a culprit while calling for an end of hostilities.

Also in response to the war, Viktor Yushchenko, the president of Ukraine, said he 4) … to negotiate increasing the rent on the Russian naval base at Sevastopol in the Crimea. On the other hand, the Abkhazian government said it would invite Russia to 5) … a naval base in the port of Sukhumi. According to Russia, any re-negotiation of the use of the Ukraine naval base would break a 1997 agreement, under which Russia leases the base for $98 million a year until 2017. A 6) … arose over how Ukraine should respond to the Ossetia war, which contributed to the 2008 Ukrainian political crisis.

Although many Western leaders initially showed 7) … with Georgia, the findings of possible war crimes committed by Georgia in South Ossetia later raised concerns among Georgia's supporters in the West. British Foreign Minister David Miliband, after being informed of the Human Rights Watch and BBC findings of possible war crimes 8) … by Georgia, apparently hardened his language towards Georgia, calling its actions "reckless". But he also added that "the Russian response was reckless and wrong".

 

4. Translate the following text from English into Russian.

TERRITORIAL DISPUTE

 

A territorial dispute is a disagreement over the possession/control of land between two or more states, or over the possession or control of land by one state after it has conquered it from a former state no longer currently recognized by the occupying power. These disputes are often related to the possession of natural resources such as rivers, fertile farmland, mineral or oil resources, although the disputes can also be driven by culture, religion and ethnic nationalism.

The term irredentism applies to those border disputes and other territorial claims that one party justifies on the basis of former cultural or ethnic attachment. In many cases territorial disputes result from vague and unclear language in a treaty that set up the original boundary.

Territorial disputes are a major cause of wars and terrorism, as states often try to assert their real, or imagined, sovereignty over a territory through invasion, and non-state entities try to influence the actions of politicians through terrorism. International law does not support the use of force by one state to annex the territory of another state. The UN Charter says: "All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations."

5. Summarize the following text in English.