International zone

An international zone is a type of extraterritoriality governed by international law, or similar treaty between two or more nations. They can be found within international airports and can contain duty free shopping. In areas of conflict there may be international zones called green zones that form protective enclaves to keep diplomats safe. Countries in conflict may also have international zones separating each other.

Iraq: Green Zone

Iraq has its international zone around the Republican Palace in central Baghdad in a crook of the Tigris river. This area was and still is the heavily fortified headquarters for the coalition and Iraqi Reconstruction Ministries. The official name started as the "Green Zone" but was later changed to the "International Zone" in June of 2004 with the return of sovereignty to the Iraqi people. However, the inhabitants, armed forces, and media have returned to calling it the Green Zone. [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/baghdad-green-zone.htm Global Security] ] [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=The Struggle For Iraq; Frustration Unites Sunni And Shiite In Opposition To Baghdad Wall|quote=A man who had waited in line for more than two hours to get into the fortified International Zone, formerly known as the Green Zone, on Monday said no one explained the reason for the delay to the nearly 200 people standing there. "Why, why? What did I do?" he said to no one in particular, as a soldier who had briefly appeared near the front of the line walked away.|work= |publisher=New York Times |date=April 24, 2007 |accessdate=2007-05-01 ]

International airports

International airports have international zones for individuals who have not cleared customs and immigration of the hosting country. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Former Colleague Aided U.S. In Trapping Ex-C.I.A. Agent |quote=After his arrival in the early evening, he met with Mr. Keiser, a lawyer from Geneva and several other associates, never leaving the international zone of the Zurich airport. Swiss Officials Alerted. The Swiss authorities, alerted about his travel plans by the United States, did not interfere with his movements. Several United States marshals shadowed Mr. Wilson on his 24-hour stopover at the airport. |work= |publisher=New York Times |date=June 16, 1982 |accessdate=2007-05-01 ] [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Fugitive Former Spy; Lured Out Of Libya, Arrested At Kennedy|quote=Presumably confident, Mr. Wilson left Tripoli several days ago on his way to the Dominican Republic, with brief stops in Switzerland and Madrid. Law-enforcement officials said that Mr. Wilson, traveling under an assumed name on the Irish passport, never left the international zone of the two European airports. He made several calls to bankers while in Switzerland, they said. |work= |publisher=New York Times |date=August 26, 1981 |accessdate=2007-05-01 ] [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Team Of Ex-Green Berets Trained Terrorists For Libyan Government|quote=In Washington, on July 25, Mr. Thompson and three former Green Berets were given travel documents, $1,000 in cash, airplane tickets to Zurich via New York, and a description of a man who would meet them at the Zurich airport. "We were told to stay in the international zone and not to go through customs in Zurich," Mr. Thompson said. |work= |publisher=New York Times |date=June 27, 1982 |accessdate=2007-05-01 ]

Channel Tunnel

The United Kingdom and France established "international zones" or "control zones" at both ends of the Channel Tunnel, which crosses underneath the English Channel. British authorities exercise authority within the control zone on the French side, and French authorities exercise authority within the control zone on the UK side. Violations in the control zone are treated as if they occurred within the territory of the adjoining state within that zone, and extradition is not required to remove a violator to the operating state for prosecution. Officers of the adjoining state may carry firearms within the control zone.

Tangier

Tangier was an international zone from 1912 to 1956. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Hassan II of Morocco Dies at 70; A Monarch Oriented to the West |quote=Moulay Hassan ben Mohammed Alaoui was born on July 9, 1929, the oldest of six children of Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Youssef. Most of Morocco was then a protectorate of France, except for sections governed by Spain in the northwest and southern coast and the city of Tangier, an international zone. |work= |publisher=New York Times |date=July 24, 1999 |accessdate=2007-04-01 ]

ee also

*Extraterritoriality
*Embassy
*Demilitarized zone
*Neutral territory
*EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
*Antarctic Treaty System
*Law of the Sea
*Outer Space Treaty
*Moon Treaty
*International waters
*Extraterrestrial real estate
*Free port
*Free trade zone
*Free trade area

References