An international organization cannot alienate its rights, and those of its State members if such alienation is attached to a condition under which the said organization does not have any control.

It is the same as for individuals and governments.

Individuals

Either one of these two individuals can: - Trade with each other, - Support each other, - Contract with each other. Mr Brown can commit itself to not selling his car until he buys a house. This is OK. He has control of the condition. But Mr Brown cannot commit itself not to sell his car until Mrs Smith sells her house. He does not have any control on the condition attached to it.

Governments

Governments can - trade with each other, - support each other, - contract with each other. The U.S. Government can commit itself not to hire any interns until such a time as the U.S. Congress approves it. This is OK. The U.S. Government controls the condition. But The U.S. Government cannot commit itself not to hire any interns until such a time as the Government of Canada prohibits hunting of whales by its native people. The U.S. Government does not have control over the situation.

International Organizations

Two international organizations can - trade with each other, - support each other, - contract with each other. CITES can commit itself not to issue export or import permits for whales until such a time as a scientific study is completed by CITES. In that case CITES has control of the condition. But CITES cannot commit itself not to issue export or import permits for whales until such a time as the IWC moratorium is in place. CITES does not have any control over the situation.

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