text: Chapter 7
  Non-Hostile Relations Between Belligerents
  This chapter addresses non-hostile relations between belligerents, particularly at the
  tactical and operational levels. Although an arcane area of the law, this topic has been
  essential in assisting military commanders to define the terms and methods of
  communication with the enemy on the battlefield with respect to conflict termination
  or other negotiations, in conducting tactical pauses, and in controlling limited
  commerce between the parties. Many of these terms were first used in the Lieber Code
  and then in the 1907 Hague Regulations, with little change in the terminology since
  then. But these rules have been relevant in many armed conflicts since 1907, including
  recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
  GENERAL BACKGROUND
  7-1. War between nations may result in the termination of formal diplomatic relations and direct
  communications and exchanges between opposing governments or between the territories occupied by
  belligerent armies. This is not limited to communications and exchanges, but includes commerce,
  transportation, and postal services. Termination of communications and exchanges (non-intercourse) may
  occur with or without special proclamation. The traditional rule of non-intercourse reflects a belligerent’s
  authority under LOAC to limit and regulate intercourse between persons and territory controlled by or
  belonging to that belligerent and persons and territory controlled by or belonging to the enemy (see DOD
  Law of War Manual, 12.1.1). Even in the midst of armed conflict, however, opposing forces often find they
  need to communicate or exchange with each other. Communications and exchanges between opposing forces
  may occur at the operational or tactical level, often as a result of actions or decisions at higher levels. The
  mechanisms, legal principles, and rules for these are the subject of this chapter.
  7-2. Exceptions to the general rule of non-intercourse during armed conflict have been granted on behalf
  of individuals only with the approval of national authorities or a designated commander.
  7-3. The laws of neutrality and occupation may affect a belligerent’s authority to regulate intercourse
  between territory it controls and territory controlled by the enemy (see DOD Law of War Manual, 12.1.1.1).
  For example, under the GC, protected persons in a belligerent’s home territory, or in territory occupied by a
  belligerent, are entitled to leave unless such departure is contrary to the interest of the State (see DOD Law
  of War Manual, 10.8.2, 11.12.2).
  7-4. The conduct of military operations and the restoration of peace often necessitate the establishment and
  maintenance of certain communications and non-hostile relations between belligerents. Traditionally, these
  relations have been conducted through parlementaires, military passports, safe-conducts, safeguards, cartels,
  armistices, and capitulations, all of which are discussed in this chapter.
  7-5. Non-hostile relations may be conducted in other ways. For example, informal communication may
  take place between opposing State parties to a conflict. These may occur through intermediaries, such as a
  protecting power, neutral governments, an international organization such as the United Nations (for
  example, through the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), other envoys
  recognized by the parties to the conflict, or impartial humanitarian organizations, such as the ICRC.
  7-6. Although each of the types of communication mentioned in paragraph 7-5 may affect the missions of
  tactical and operational commanders, their discussion is beyond the scope of this field manual. A
  commander’s authority to control communication during belligerent occupation is the subject of Chapter 6,
  Occupation.