ويحق للدولة، حتى قبل الاعتراف بها، أن تدافع عن سلامتها واستقلالها، وأن تضمن بقاءها وممتلكاتها، وبالتالي أن تنظم نفسها بأحسن طريقة تراها، وأن تشرع لمصالحها، وتدير مرافقها وتحدد ولاية واختصاص محاكمها.
Even before being recognized, the State has the right to defend its integrity and independence, to provide for its preservation and prosperity, and consequently to organize itself as it sees fit, to legislate concerning its interests, to administer its services, and to determine the jurisdiction and competence of its courts.