An insider's look at the role international law plays in Arab-Israeli negotiations in the Middle East.

The purpose of this book is to describe the problems posed in the formulation of international rules for bays at the present time, to investigate the history of the several interests that have influenced the development of such rules, to trace the efforts that have been made to codify the rules, and to suggest a further refinement of the rules. This book seeks to combine the fruits of the writer's experience as a navigator with those of his studies in international law, geography, history and economics. Although, after study and thought upon the subject, there is likely to arise an initial desire to write a work that is truly definitive, one must resign himself to something of lesser scope. That being so, there is, if anything, an increased demand upon the writer to exercise careful judgment in his research, and in his exposition of the subject. This writer can only hope that he has discharged this responsi bility to the degree that his efforts will have clarified some issues and that what he has set on paper may be of some assistance to others. This writer has attempted to be as objective as possible in his inter pretations, and he has made no attempt to defend the policy of any State. In so doing, he is weil aware of the fact that for broader policy reasons, some of the views expressed herein cannot be officiaily accept ed as bases for action.

Straits are peripheral formations in the study of geography, but have long been a source of controversy in international relations. They connect separate seas and divide the territory of states. This geographical fact invites legal disputes over international boundary drawing, request forpassage by foreign ships, assertion of territorial control over the waters forming straits, and the basis for a regime generally accepted as law in our times. This is a thorough and well-documented book which combines elements of history, geography, international shipping, and the law of the sea. Itasks the central question: what exactly is the current law governing this area, and also goes on to consider the concept of international straits, the distinction between existing treaty-based regimes and the general regime, and the special characteristics of straits that separate them from similararms of the sea in terms of law. In answering these questions, the author takes us back to the first regime for international straits in 1949, through to the practices of the present day. This will be an invaluable text for all international lawyers, particularly those specializing in the law ofsea.

Dirasat: In-depth research publication is written by a specialist to discuss political and intellectual issues in the Middle East region and the world. Published monthly in Arabic and English. As stipulated in its articles, the boundary agreement would come into force only after being ratified by both contracting countries in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures. This Saudi Arabia had done shortly thereafter. Egypt, on the other hand, has not, despite that the fact that more than one year had already passed since it placed its signature on the accord. The Egyptian cabinet did not approve the agreement until the end the year, on December 29, before referring it to the parliament, which has not yet set a date to debate it.