5. Packaging Agreements

Diplomatic agreements vary in form to a bewildering degree: in title or style, textual structure, language, and whether written or oral; they also vary in whether they are publicized or kept secret. This chapter explains what form an agreement might take depending on whether its authors believe that a premium attaches to international legal obligations, which favor a treaty, irrespective of what it is called; signaling importance, which favors a ‘Treaty’ so-called or a non-binding agreement with a grand title such as The Atlantic Charter; convenience, which favors, for example, a memorandum of understanding or exchange of latters; or saving face, which favors such devices as euphemisms, waffling, side letters, and tucking away sensitive concessions in obscure appendices. The chapter deals with UN treaty registration.