text: provisions would apply even if there was no affect on another State, and that article 27 should be placed between article 10 and part III, the Special Rapporteur recognieed that they were justified. He added that the idea of stating that the provisions of paragraph 3 were without prejudice to the exceptions set forth in article 20 should be taken into account. - 129 -301. &t&&~&28 l.W elicited mixed reactions from members of the Commission. Some members regarded such a provision as beyond the scope of the draft articles. Others expressed reluctance to venture into the field of armed conflict for fear of the possibility of affecting, in some unforeseen way, the existing rules of international law govurning that field. But a majority of members appeared to be in favour of attempting to address the subject, in view of its vital importanae. 302. Questions were raised as to the meaning of the term “inviolable” in this context. Some members suggested that consistency with existing law could be achieved by making reference to the rules of international law governing armed conflict, which would include both customary and conventional law. The proposal was made by some members that express reference be made in a paragraph 2 to poisoning of international watercourses, which wa-’ characterised as both a war crime and a crime against humanity. Finally, it was suggested that the article should be divided into two parts, one concerning peaceful uses of international watercourses and the other dealing with their status in time of armed conflict. 303. In his summing up, the Special Rapporteur remarked that the article had been diversely received, some members considering it superfluous and others, on the contrary, viewing it as very important. He noted, however, that a majority of members seemed to be in favour of at least trying to address the
analysis: The text appears to be discussing the regulation of international watercourses, specifically in the context of armed conflict and the protection of these watercourses. This suggests that the text is related to the management and protection of natural resources, which is a key aspect of the natural resources and environment category.