If states have moral duties to other states then what would these be?
Well, Australia has a moral duty not to invade Indonesia save under great provocation. Australia also has a duty to help Indonesia if and when a great disaster befell it---eg., a famine, flood, earthquake or volcanic eruption.
These moral duties are recognized. Australia intervened to prevent the terror killing people in East Timor under the flag of the UN when the Timorese voted for self-independence from Indonesia.
Hence Australia accepted that there are principles governing a state's conduct to those living beyond its borders.
Posted by Gary Sauer-Thompson at March 28, 2004 03:04 PM | TrackBack