text: approaeh the topic iuductivelyt that is to begin its consideration of the subjectby cataloguing those actions that might te generally aceepted as constituting "offences against the peace and security of mankind, and only then to try toextrapolate general principles indentifying sueh offences. It is the AustralianGovernnentrs belief that such an approach will more guickly and more readily leadto an international consensus on the Code tban an approacb. that seeks as a firststep to identify tbe elenents of the offences to be included in it. 3. In considering what actions should constitute offences against the peace andsecurity of mankind, the Australian Governnent is concerned to ensure that the currency of tbe concept and the terminology not be devalued by theirundiserirninating application to all acts or policies of which the international community generally disapproves. It therefore supports the Commissionrs view thatthe distinction bethreen international crimes (i.e. crimes brith an internationalcharacter such as drug trafficking, aireraft hijacking, etc.) and those actions tobe included in the Code should be confined to those offences of a truly barkrarousnature or whicb 'rthreaten the foundations of nodern civilization and the values itembodies". This is not to say that international crimes are not serious, butrather that the offences against the peace and security of mankind have a characterthat goes beyond the merely criminal. 4. Having exarnined the various options for inclusion in the Code looked at by theInternational Lahr Cornrnission, the Australian Government considers tbat the offenceslisted in the 1954 draft Code forrn a good starting point for the updated Code antlwould wish to see all these retained, subject only to such moclifications as areA/40/AsL Engli sh Page 4 necessary in the light of international tegal developments in the last 30 years. In addition the Government would accept the inclusion of colonialism as an offence
analysis: The text appears to be discussing the concept of "offences against the peace and security of mankind" in the context of international law and the development of a code. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting a focus on international relations and governance. The specific examples mentioned, such as drug trafficking and colonialism, are also related to international relations and the maintenance of peace and security.