A/RES/52/156
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codification of international law and therefore may be included in the future programme of work of the
International Law Commission,
Stressing the usefulness of structuring the debate on the report of the International Law Commission in
the Sixth Committee in such a manner that conditions are provided for concentrated attention to each of the
main topics dealt with in the report,
Wishing to enhance further the interaction between the Sixth Committee as a body of government
representatives and the International Law Commission as a body of independent legal experts, with a view
to improving the dialogue between the two organs,
1. Takes note of the report of the International Law Commission on the work of its forty-ninth
session,1 and expresses its appreciation to the Commission for the work accomplished at that session, in
particular for the completion of the first reading of draft articles on nationality of natural persons in relation
to the succession of States and for the preliminary conclusions on reservations to normative multilateral
treaties, including human rights treaties;
2. Draws the attention of Governments to the importance for the International Law Commission of
having their views on all the specific issues identified in chapter III of its report and in particular on:
(a) The draft articles on nationality of natural persons in relation to the succession of States adopted
on first reading by the Commission, and urges them to submit their comments and observations in writing
by 1 October 1998;
(b) The preliminary conclusions of the Commission on reservations to normative multilateral treaties,
including human rights treaties;
3. Recommends that, taking into account the comments and observations of Governments, whether in
writing or expressed orally in debates in the General Assembly, the International Law Commission should
continue its work on the topics in its current programme;
4. Takes note of the invitation by the International Law Commission to all treaty bodies set up by
normative multilateral treaties that may wish to do so to provide, in writing, their comments and observations
on the preliminary conclusions of the Commission on reservations to normative multilateral treaties, including
human rights treaties, and takes note of the views expressed by Member States on the matter;
5. Invites Governments to submit comments and observations on the practical problems raised by the
succession of States affecting the nationality of legal persons in order to assist the International Law
Commission in deciding on its future work on this portion of the topic of "Nationality in relation to the
succession of States";
6. Recalls the importance for the International Law Commission of having the views of Governments
on the draft articles on State responsibility adopted on first reading by the Commission at its forty-eighth
session in 1996;3
3
See Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-first Session, Supplement No. 10 and corrigendum
(A/51/10 and Corr.1), chap. III, sect. D.
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