scope:

Purpose

a. To implement references (a) through (e) concerning the negotiation and conclusion of international agreements. This instruction is a complete revision and should be reviewed in its entirety.

b. Significant changes to this instruction are primarily to clarify the state of the law for ease of use and review and to make the international agreement process compliant with Federal law and directives. These changes are indicated in subparagraphs 1b(1) through 1b(4).

(1) Clarification that the instruction does not constitute legal authority to negotiate or conclude any international agreement, but only the procedural authority to request permission to negotiate and conclude international agreements for which legal authority is found elsewhere;

(2) Clarification of the legal reviews and concurrent staffing requirements, including the roles of command staff judge advocates; Office of the Judge Advocate General (OJAG), Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General for International and Operational Law (Code 10); and Office of the General Counsel;

(3) Removal of the "policy significance" requirement before routing to Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) Director of International Engagement (N52) and OJAG for review; and

(4) Clarification of approval authority and coordination requirement.