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Treaties and Other International Agreements
Guide to Government Publications
Series
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
International agreements entered into by two or
more states are frequently described as "treaties". Other terms used
to
describe multilateral international agreements include convention,
agreement,
pact, accord, protocol, final act, general act, and declaration. They
may be
bilateral or multilateral. Executive agreements are agreements made
between
the President and the executive of another country that do not
require Senate approval.
Information on treaties and international agreements can be
found in several sources depending upon the nature of the treaty (date, number of parties, whether or not
the United States is a party). The following guide to treaty research at Stanford describes the most
important treaty sources in both the Jonsson and Law Libraries, as well as online resources available via
Folio and the Internet.
FULL TEXT TREATY SOURCES ON THE
INTERNET
- Specialized Treaty Sources
- Recent or Pending Treaties (pre- ratification)
- 1. Congressional Index (CCH)
- Green Information Center KF49. C6
Volume one of this looseleaf set contains a section covering treaties
pending before the Senate. The treaties are listed numerically and chronologically
with a brief summary. References to Senate Treaty Documents,
Senate Executive Reports, hearings, and ratifications are provided.
Updated weekly, this index is one of the best sources for checking the
status of pending U.S. treaties. The text of treaties transmitted to the
Senate for its advice and consent are contained in Senate Treaty Documents,
called Senate Executive Documents until the 97th Congress (1981).
Accompanying messages from the President and the Secretary of State are
included with the treaty text. Both of these sources are indexed in the
Monthly Catalog of US Government Publications as well as the
CIS Index. Senate Executive Reports are a valuable source
for treaty interpretation. They are issued by the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee and contain the Committee's analysis and recommendations concerning
proposed treaties and agreements. Senate Executive Reports are
indexed in the Monthly Catalog and the CIS Index.
- 2. US Department of State Dispatch.
- Green Federal Documents S 1.3/5.
This weekly publication continues the popular Department of State
Bulletin (Green-Federal S1.3:). It has a "treaty actions" section
that appears every four to six weeks which provides status information
on US bilateral and multilateral treaties. The Dispatch is a
useful source for information on current treaty developments from negotiation
to ratification and proclamation and subsequent treaty actions. The Dispatch
will include semi-annual and annual indexes and is also indexed in PAIS,
Reader's Guide to Periodicals and Current Law Index. It is available electronically
on the quarterly publication US Foreign Affairs on CD-ROM.
- 3. Hein's United States Treaties and Other International
Agreements: Current Microfiche Service. 1990- .
- LAW Mtxt Area XF443
This service provides "full text of current unreleased international agreements
and treaties...". Treaties are arranged by editor assigned "KAV" numbers.
It has its own index in paper (LAW Bibliographic Area XF443 2) and microfiche.
This service provides more timely publication of current treaties than
TIAS.
- Official Publication
- 4. Treaties and other International Acts Series (TIAS)
- Green Federal Documents S 9.10:
TIAS is a series of consecutively numbered, individually
paginated pamphlets containing the text of treaties in the
language of the parties. TIAS is the first official
publication of U.S. treaties. They appear in this "slip" form
and then eventually appear in bound volumes of the UST. TIAS continues the Treaty Series and the Executive Agreement
Series. TIAS begins with pamphlet #1501.
There is currently a long delay between the date of proclamation
and publication in TIAS. TIAS is indexed by:
- 5. United States Treaties and Other International Agreements.
(UST) 1950-.
- Green Federal Documents S 9.12/2
After appearing in slip form in TIAS, US treaties
and agreements are published in this bound chronological set which began
in 1950. Treaty texts are in English and the other official languages
of the treaty. UST is indexed by:
- Early U.S. Treaties
- 6. United States Statutes At Large (STAT)
- Green Informatin Center KF50.U5
The text of all U.S. treaties from 1776 through 1950 appear in this chronologically
arranged set. Volume 8 contains the text of all treaties from 1776-1845.
From 1846 on, treaties were published in the sessional volumes. Executive
agreements are included in volumes 47-64. Volume 64 part 3 includes a
list of all treaties and agreements in volumes 1 - 64. The list is arranged
by country and then by topic. Indian treaties were included through volume
16. After 1950 the official publication for U.S. treaties became UST. Indexes that cite to treaties in U.S. Statutes at
Large include:
- 7. Treaties and Other International Agreements of the
U.S.A. 1776-1949 (Bevans)
- Green Federal Documents S 9.12/2:13
This 13 volume set contains pre-UST treaties and agreements in English
text only. Volumes 1-4 are multilateral treaties arranged chronologically;
volumes 5-12 are bilateral treaties arranged by country; volume 13 is
the index to the set. This set supersedes two earlier compilations by
Malloy and Miller.
- 8. Treaties, Conventions, International Acts, Protocols
and Agreements Between the United States of America and Other Powers (Malloy)
- SSRC Reading Room JX236 1910
- Volumes 1-2 covering 1776-1909 were compiled by Malloy. Volume 3 covers
1910- 1923 and was compiled by Redmond. Volume 4 covers 1923- 1937 and
was compiled by Trenwith. The set is cited as Malloy. Treaty texts are
in English only and are annotated. Citations to treaties in the United
States Statutes At Large (STAT) and the Treaty
Series (TS) are provided. Volume 4 contains an index to the set,
a list of treaties by date of proclamation and other useful tables and
lists.
- 9. Treaties and Other International Acts of the USA.
(Miller)
- Green Federal Documents S9.5/1
This set covers the period 1776-1836. Treaty text is in English and other
official languages of each agreement. The texts are also annotated with
citations to the United States Statutes At Large (STAT)
and the Treaty Series (TS). There is no index
to this set. Volume 1 provides some explanation on how the set is arranged.
- 10. Treaty Series (TS)
- Green Federal Documents S 9.5/2:
Originally an unnumbered pamphlet series, the Treaty Series covers the
1800's to 1945. Until 1930 it included Executive agreements. Numbered
pamphlets begin with no. 489 (1908) and continue through no. 994 (1945).
The earlier unnumbered pamphlets are published in Bevans. TS was replaced by TIAS in 1945.
- 11. Executive Agreement Series (EAS)
- Green Federal Documents S 9.8:
EAS contains the texts of international agreements from Oct. 1, 1929 to
March 16, 1945. The series ended with no. 506. EAS was replaced by TIAS in 1945.
- 12. International Legal Materials (ILM)
- LAW FN.CIP.XA
ILM is a bi-monthly publication that began in 1962. It provides
timely access
to current documents concerning international relations. The texts of
official
foreign and US international agreements and other documents are
reprinted
along with useful background notes. Each issue has its own index
and each
November issue contains an annual index. Cumulative indexes
covering a range
of years are published occasionally. Available electronically via
Folio/Lexis.
- 13. United Nations Treaty Series (UNTS)
- United Nations Treaty Series
(UNTS)
Green-Int'l Documents ST/LEG/Treaties (shelved at Stanford Auxiliary
Library 3)
This comprehensive treaty series began in 1946 and contains the text of
all treaties registered or filed with the UN Secretariat by member
states or international organizations and some filed by nonmember
states. Texts are given in their official languages and in English and
French. There is currently a significant delay in publication of
treaties in UNTS. Under a 1978 Resolution the Secretariat may
selectively exclude treaties of "limited interest" from publication in
UNTS. They are however included in the UN's Statement of Treaties and
International Agreements Registered or Filed with the Secretariat, and
are marked by an asterisk. Indexes are provided every fifty volumes,
however there is considerable delay in their publication.
The entire series is full-text searchable at the United Nations Treaty Collection. The
database includes Status of Multilateral Treaties Deposited with the
Secretary-General, United Nations Treaty Series (December 1946 -
present), League of Nations Treaty Series (5 July 1920 - 3 October 944), Monthly Statements of treaties and International
Agreements, United Nations Treaty Series Cumulative Index and
several other publications to aid in the research of bilateral and
multilateral treaties.
- 14. League of Nations Treaty Series (LNTS)
- Law FN FLG ZA
Contains treaties of the League's members registered with the
League's
Secretariat. English and French translations accompany reprints of
the
official texts. Each volume has its own index. Cumulative indexes
covering 3
or more years each are also provided and are shelved in the
Government
Documents International section as ST/LEG/Treaties/Cum.
LNTS is also
indexed by: nos. 20,22,and 24.
- 15. Consolidated Treaty Series (CTS)
- LAW FN.FCS ZQ
Coverage in this 243 volume set begins in
1648 and continues to 1920. Treaty text is
reprinted in the language of one of the
signatories and often accompanied by a French
or English translation or summary. The set
has a chronological list and party name index
but no subject index. CTS is also indexed by
nos. 20,22, and 24.
- US Treaty Collections
For recent or pending United States treaties, consult
the CCH Congressional Index (#1), the U.S. State Department's Weekly Dispatch
(#2) , International Legal Materials (#12),and the Calendar of the United
States House of Representatives and History of Legislation (J47 A3 Reading
Room). The Calendar is published daily and cumulates each Congressional
session and contains a complete status table for pending treaties.
- 16. United States Current Treaty Index (Hein)
- LAW Mtxt Area XF443
This is the index to the Hein's United States Treaties and Other International
Agreements Current Microfiche Service (#3). It updates Hein's, United
States Treaty Index: 1776-1990 Consolidation (#17) below. It also merges
two earlier Hein indexes: Current Treaty Index (Law FN FUV RGD CURR SERV)
and United States International Treaties Today: Unpublished and Unnumbered
Treaties Index (Law FH FUV RHA). The "Table of Contents" section lists
treaties numerically by "KAV" numbers assigned to each treaty. Each entry
provides a short description of the treaty and other useful information
such as pertinent dates. There is also a subject index.
- 17. United States Treaty Index 1776-1990 Consolidation
- Law Reference FN FUV RGc
Convenient and thorough access to US treaties from 1776- 1990.
- 18. Treaties In Force. (TIF)
- Green Federal Documents S 9.14:
Issued annually by the US State Department this index lists US treaties
and agreements in force as of January 1 of each year. Arranged in two
parts, the first part lists bilateral treaties by country and then by
subject; the second part lists multilaies by subject and indicates the
parties. TIF can be updated by checking the "treaty actions" section that
appears every 4-6 weeks in the U.S. Department of State Dispatch (#2).
- International Treaties
For recent or pending international treaties, use International
Legal Materials (#12) Law Lib. FN CIP XA. ILM has its own index in each
issue and an annual issue in each November issue. ILM is also indexed in
PAIS (Moffitt, General Reference and several other library locations) and
in Current Law Index VE CZ FS at the Law Library.
- 19. Multilateral Treaties: Index and Current Status
- Green SSRC Reading Room JX 171 M8 and Law Reference FN YBR
WLM
This is one of the most comprehensive and current indexes for multilateral
treaties. The main index volume has a chronological list of treaties with
entries that give detailed status and other valuable information. The
main index volume also features a subject index and keyword index. The
supplement is arranged in two parts. Part A is a chronological list of
new treaties with full entries. Part B provides updated status and other
information treaties already in the main volume.
- 20. United Nations Multilateral Treaties Deposited
with the Secretary General
- Green Int'l Documents ST/LEG/SER.E/
- (latest in Government Documents Reference)
This annual UN publication continues an earlier publication titled Multilateral
Treaties in Respect of Which the Secretary- General Performs Depository
Function. It provides information on the status of treaties deposited
with the UN Secretary- General. Information on treaties deposited with
the League of Nations that were transferred to the custody of the UN are
covered as well as pre-UN agreements that were amended by UN protocols.
The full text of any reservations and declarations are conveniently reprinted.
Citations to treaty text in UNTS (#13) or the UN document citation are
given. Entries are arranged in subject categories and then listed chronologically.
This index is supplemented by Statement of Treaties and International
Agreements (#23), a monthly UN publication. The latest edition of Multilateral
Treaties Deposited with the Secretary- General is now available as
part of the United Nations Treaty Series.
- 21. Index to Multilateral Treaties
- JX171 H35 Green SSRC Reading Room (c.1) and Information Center
(c.2)
This is one of the best indexes for finding obscure historical treaties,
amendments and drafts. It consists of a chronological list of multilateral
treaties from 1596 through 1963. The entries provide citations to the
text in a variety of language sources. A subject and regional index are
also provided.
- 22. Statement of Treaties and International Agreements
Registered or Filed with the Secretariat
- Green Int'l Documents ST/LEG/SER.A/
This monthly UN publication serves as a supplement to Multilateral Treaties
Deposited with the Secretary-General (#20). It is the only published listing
of all bilateral and multilateral treaties registered or filed with the
UN Secretariat. It provides information in English and French concerning
original treaties and agreements. It also provides information such as
ratifications, accessions and subsequent agreements concerning treaties
and agreements already registered or filed with the Secretariat. Each
issue has a cumulative subject index and numerical index, (by registration
or filing and recording numbers). A major problem with this index is that
there is a substantial delay in publication. Therefore it is not a useful
source of current information. It is also not as comprehensive as some
other indexes because it is based on the submissions of member states.
- 23. United Nations Master Treaty Index on CD-ROM
- Green Information Center KX171.U55
Semiannual publication providing cumulative indexing to the United Nations
Treaty Series (no.13). The latest edition covers treaties issued between
1976-1987. Allows searching by: treaty name; countries and organizations
that are parties; dates; descriptive text; Kavass subject; etc.
- 24. World Treaty Index
- Green SSRC Reading Room JX171.R63 1983
This is a comprehensive multivolume index to multilateral and bilateral
treaties from 1900 to 1980. Citations to treaty texts appearing in LNTS,
UNTS and numerous other sources are provided. Volume 1 (Reference Volume)
has a helpful "User's Guide" on page 12 of the introduction. A sample
entry is reproduced with an explanation of the various categories of information
provided. The abbreviations used in the entries are listed and explained
in the Thesaurus in volume 1. Volume 2 and 3 contain the main entries
in chronological order by date of signature. Volume 4 is an extensive
party index arranged in alphabetical order. Volume 5 is a keyword index.
- U.S. Dept. of State, Office of Treaty Affairs.
(202) 647-1345
- UN Office of Treaty Affairs:
- Multilateral Treaties Deposited with the UN
Secretary-General
(212) 963-3918
- Treaties not deposited with the Secretary-
General but with a Government or
Organization.
(212) 963-7833
- Guides to Treaty Research:
Cohen, Morris L., Robert C. Berring and Kent C.
Olson. How to Find the Law. 9th ed. 1989. See chapter 15
"International
Law" for a good detailed discussion of treaty
research including treaty interpretation.
Jacobstein, Myron J. and Roy M. Mersky.
Fundamentals of Legal Research. 5th ed. (199).
See chapter 20
"International Law" for a good discussion of
treaty research sources.
Zwrin, Jerrold. Congressional Publications. 1983.
JK1067.Z851 1983 Ready Ref. See chapter 11
"United States Treaties" for a good detailed
discussion of the treaty making process. Figure
15 on page 160 is a good outline of the "Key Steps
and Decision Points in the Life of a Treaty".
"Post-World War II Treaty Research Sources,
Finding Tools and Status Information Sources",
Debora Cheney, Government Publications Review,
Vol. 12, pp. 1-23, 1985. A bit dated but still a
good discussion of the sources covered. Many of
the specialized subject sources listed in section
IV above are discussed in more detail in this
article.
"Research tips in International Law", John W.
Williams, George Washington Journal of
International Law and Economics, vol. 20, pp. 1-
403, 1986.
"Researching treaty information: an annotated
guide to key reference sources", Miller, RQ, vol.
25, pp. 204, 1985.
Listed below are some of the commonly used
abbreviations. Click on the item to move to see the full
bibliographic description.
OTHER ONLINE TREATY RESOURCES
Last modified:
June 25, 2009
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