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Recent Developments It is, in some sense, rewarding to observe that the analyses of the nine major case studies discussed in Part I1remain largely valid in the "postCold War" era,1242 although the continuation of numerous conflicts is disheartening. As of the time of writing (mid-1995), it does appear that there is hope for significant positive change in Northern Ireland, and violence in the Punjab has all but disappeared (though at a great cost). At the same time, however, peace talks in Sri Lanka which held promise in early 1995 have collapsed; the civil war in Sudan continues unabated; and the situation of the Kurds remains tenuous. The other situations discussed (Hong Kong, Nicaragua, the Saami, and Spain) have evolved incrementally rather than changing direction precipitously. It is clearly impossible to capture all the nuances of political developments since the late 1980s in the situations described in Part 11. Nonetheless , the following summaries highlight the most significant events in each case through mid-1995.1241 HONG KONG The Basic Law for Hong Kong, which was in the process of being drafted when this book was completed, was promulgated by China in April 1990.1244 Although the law generally follows the outlines of the Joint Declaration, it also leaves no doubt that ultimate power over po1242 See Postscript, infra at 495-507. '243 The author would like to acknowledge with thanks the assistance of Melissa Conley Tyler in preparing the following updates. 12" Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Decree No. 26, adopted on 4 April 1990, reprinted in 29 Int'l Legal Materials 1511(1990). Many publications, most critical, have analyzed the Basic Law since its promulgation. One article that also chronicles the drafting process is T. Boasberg, "One Country, One-and-a-Half Systems: The Hong Kong Basic Law and Its Breaches of the Sino-British Joint Declaration," 10Wisc. Int'l L. J. 282 (1992). Recent Developments It is, in some sense, rewarding to observe that the analyses of the nine major case studies discussed in Part II remain largely valid in the "postCold War" era,1242 although the continuation of numerous conflicts is disheartening. As of the time of writing (mid-1995), it does appear that there is hope for significant positive change in Northern Ireland, and violence in the Punjab has all but disappeared (though at a great cost). At the same time, however, peace talks in Sri Lanka which held promise in early 1995 have collapsed; the civil war in Sudan continues unabated; and the situation of the Kurds remains tenuous. The other situations discussed (Hong Kong, Nicaragua, the Saami, and Spain) have evolved incrementally rather than changing direction precipitously. It is clearly impossible to capture all the nuances of political developments since the late 1980s in the situations described in Part II. Nonetheless , the following summaries highlight the most significant events in each case through'mid-1995. 1243 HONG KONG The Basic Law for Hong Kong, which was in the process of being drafted when this book was completed, was promulgated by China in April 1990.1244 Although the law generally follows the outlines of the Joint Declaration, it also leaves no doubt that ultimate power over po1242 See Postscript, infra at 495-507. 1243 The author would like to acknowledge with thanks the assistance of Melissa Conley Tyler in preparing the following updates. 1244 Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Decree No. 26, adopted on 4 April 1990, reprinted in 29 In1'l Legal Materials 1511 (1990). Many publications, most critical, have analyzed the Basic Law since its promulgation. One article that also chronicles the drafting process is T. Boasberg, "One Country, One-and-a-Half Systems: The Hong Kong Basic Law and Its Breaches of the Sino-British Joint Declaration," 10 Wise. In1'l L. 1. 282 (1992). 480 RecentDevelopments litical affairs in Hong Kong after 1997 will lie in the hands of Beijing. For example, article 17 makes clear that the National People's Congress may invalidate any Hong Kong law that the Congress considers "is not in conformity" with the Basic Law, and article 158 states that the "power of interpretation" of the Basic Law is vested in the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, although Hong Kong courts will be authorized to interpret provisions that are "within the limits of the autonomy of the Region." The post...

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