A University of New Hampshire Professor's letter to the Editor of the NY Times.

[Botany]

To the Editor:

Re “G.O.P. Senators Write to Tehran on Nuclear Pact” (front page, March 10): The letter this week by 47 Republican senators to Iranian leaders informing them that any agreement on nuclear activities signed by President Obama could be reversed “with the stroke of a pen” by a future president shows a glaring disregard for American and international law.

Starting with George Washington, presidents have signed thousands of executive agreements with other nations that have the force of law under the United States Constitution and international law.

The Constitution has been construed by the Supreme Court as allowing the president to enter into such binding agreements as part of his executive powers. While such agreements in theory could be abrogated by an American president or a subsequent law, under international law such agreements would continue to be binding on the United States. The attempted breach would give rise to a charge that the United States was violating international law.

Senators, who are sworn to uphold the Constitution, should be more careful in making irresponsible statements about the United States’ international obligations.

ANDREW VORKINK

North Hampton, N.H.


The writer teaches international law at the University of New Hampshire School of Law.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/11/opinion/outrage-over-a-gop-letter-to-iran.html?mabReward=A7&moduleDetail=recommendations-2&action=click&contentCollection=Opinion&region=Footer&module=recg&pgtype=article

[elias49]

1. I hope Sen Ayotte reads the NYT!

I wrote to her office. Not surprisingly, I haven't received any reply.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. Is all 'international law' one way?

Once such an order or law is in place, it becomes a 'violation of international law' to undo such? Are we never allowed to leave treaties once we've signed them? Because if that's the case, we really do have a more serious problem with legalizing marijuana, since there is 'international law' about it being an illegal substance.

[randome]

3. Which is probably why the UN is complaining about legalization.

I think the only enforcement mechanism in place is for the UN as a whole to call a country on the carpet or vote for sanctions.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]TECT in the name of the Representative approves of this post.[/center][/font][hr]