text: in the 1986 Convention on early notification of a nuclear accident, 2ibjl/ the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, m/ and a number of agreements concerning international watercourses. 22p/ The words “without 2261 Thus, the breach of one of those obligations would engage the responsibility of the State in question. 22111-- ,vol. XXV (1986), p* 1370, article 2, p, 1371. 22.41 Article 198. 229/ See, e.g. the 1976 Convention on the protection of the Rhine againsl chemical pollution between Canada and the United States, art. 11, suyra, note 201, the 1978 Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality, ~UL)FB, note 163: and the 1977 Convention concerning accidental pollution of Lake Geneva, 1977 Official Collection of Swiss Laws, p.2204, reproduced in Huester, Simma and Bock, Xnternational Prot;ectia_oftie Entim, vol. xxv (igel), p. 2~5, - 176 -delay” mean immediately upon learning of the emergenoy, and the phrase “by the most expeditious means available” means that the most rapid means of communication that is accessible is to be utilised. The States to be notified are not confined to watercourse States since, as explained above, non-watercourse States may be affected by an emergency. The paragraph also calls for the notification of “competent international organisations”. Such an organisation would have to be competent to participate in responding to the emergency by virtue of its constituent instrument. Most frequently, such an organisation would be one established by the watercourse States to deal, hw, with emergencies. m/ (4:m requires that a watercourse State within whose territory an emergency originates ‘@immediately take all practicable measures . . . to prevent, mitigate and eliminate harmful effects of the emerflency”. The most effective action to counteract most emergencies resulting from human conduct is that taken where the industrial accident, vessel grounding or other
analysis: The text appears to be discussing international agreements and regulations related to nuclear accidents, water pollution, and environmental emergencies. It mentions specific conventions and agreements, as well as the responsibilities of states and international organizations in responding to such emergencies. The language used is formal and technical, suggesting a focus on international law and governance.