Between Unilateralism and Comprehensive Accords: Modest Steps toward Cooperation in International River Basins

Abstract

The premise of this article is that basin-wide accords, integrated basin development, and formulae for optimal use of water in international river basins will prove elusive, and the costs of searching for them will be excessive. This holds especially for basins with several riparian states. The article suggests some measures that can be taken within riparian states that simultaneously make good sense in purely domestic terms and that will help prepare the riparians for bi-lateral or multi-lateral negotiating with other riparians.