7.2 The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969 Section 3 : Section 3 of the VCT 1969 adopts a composite position. Article 31 states that treaties ‘shall be interpreted in good faith in accordance with the ordinary meaning to be given to the terms of the treaty in their context and in the light of their object and purpose’. 4.7.2.1 Good faith

doi:10.4324/9781843143802-33

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7.2 The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969 Section 3

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ABSTRACT

I do not see how it is possible to say that an article of a convention is clear until the subject and aim of the convention have been ascertained, for the article only assumes its true import in this convention and in relation thereto. Only when it is known what the contracting parties intended to do and the aim that they had in view is it possible to say either that the natural meaning of terms used in a particular article corresponds with the real intention of the parties, or that the natural meaning of the terms used falls short of or goes further than such intention.27