XXI
(a) Declaration on Continental Solidarity in Observance of Treaties
Whereas:
1. The concept of solidarity, in addition to embodying altruistic sentiments held in common, includes that of cooperation so necessary to forestall obstacles which may prejudice the maintenance of that principle, or the reestablishment of harmony when weakened or disrupted by the adoption of measures contrary to the dictates of international law and morality;
2. This solidarity must be translated into facts in order to become a living reality; since from a philosophical concept it has developed into an historic affirmation through repeated and frequent reaffirmations in international agreements freely agreed upon;
3. Respect for the pledged word in international treaties rests upon incontestable juridical principles as well as on precepts of morality in accordance with the maxim of canon law: Pacta sunt servanda;
4. Such agreements, whether bilateral or multilateral, must not be modified or nullified unilaterally, except as otherwise provided, as in the case of "denunciation" clearly authorized by the parties;
5. Only thus can peace, inspired by the common welfare of the peoples, be founded on an enduring basis, as proclaimed at the Meeting in Habana; and
6. All peaceful relations among peoples would be practically impossible in the absence of strict observance of all pacts solemnly celebrated which have met all the formalities provided for in the laws of the High Contracting Parties in order to render them juridically effective,
The Third Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics
Declares:
1. That should the Government of an American nation violate an agreement or a treaty duly perfected by two or more American Republics or should there be reason to believe that a violation which might disturb the peace or solidarity of the Americas is being contemplated, any American State may initiate the consultation contemplated in Resolution XVII of Habana with the object of agreeing upon the measures to be taken.
2. That the Government desiring to initiate the consultation and propose a Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics, or their representatives, shall communicate with the Governing Board of the Pan American Union specifying in detail the subjects to be considered as well as the approximate date on which the meeting should take place.
Reservation of the Delegation of the Republic of Peru:
"The project voted upon does not refer to the defense of the American Hemisphere against dangers from without the continent and, consequently, it is outside the agenda of this Meeting, the regulations for which, approved by all the Governments, require the unanimous consent of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics.
"In any case, the project voted upon cannot be applied to incidents occurring in connection with conflicts or differences which the interested parties have submitted to a special jurisdiction for settlement or solution."
(b) Declaration on the Good Neighbor Policy
Whereas:
1. Relations among nations, if they are to have foundations which will assure an international order under law, must be based on the essential and universal principle of justice;
2. The standard proclaimed and observed by the United States of America to the effect that its international policy must be founded on that of the "good neighbor" is a general criterion of right and a source of guidance in the relations between States; and this well-conceived policy prescribes respect for the fundamental rights of States as well as cooperation between them for the welfare of international society; and
3. This policy has been one of the elements contributing to the present solidarity of the Americas and their joint cooperation in the solution of outstanding problems of the Continent,
The Third Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics
Declares:
That the principle that international conduct must be inspired by the policy of the good neighbor is a norm of international law of the American Continent.
(c) Resolution on Condemnation of Inter-American Conflicts
Whereas:
1. A state of war exists between the United States of America and the Axis Powers;
2. The other American Republics, in conformity with inter-American agreements, have declared themselves to be in solidarity with the United States of America; and
3. This consequently implies that all the countries of the Hemisphere should closely unite for the defense of the Continent, which is the defense of each and all the American Republics,
The Third Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics
Resolves:
To appeal to the spirit of conciliation of the various Governments to settle their conflicts by recourse to the inter-American peace agreements formulated during the course of the recent Pan American conferences, or to any other juridical machinery, and to recognize the meritorious work of the countries which have lent and are lending their collaboration with a view to reaching a pacific solution of the differences existing between American countries and to urge them to continue intensifying their efforts in favor of the noble cause of continental harmony and solidarity.
1 Report on the Third Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Amercan Republics, Washington, Pan American Union (Congress and Congerence Series No. 36), 1942, pp. 50-53. Back