Historically, the "leaders" of the land in question decide, aided and abetted by leaders of more powerful countries with routing interests. Basically, I can see no rules, just negotiation, persistance, and violence in various combinations until one side gains control. International law is an oxymoron except when countries decide that it is their best interest to go along with it.
If the majority of people in a geographic region vote to separate themselves from the "historical" government, should the UN recognize the new government? Should other countries, independant of the UN, recognize the new government?
What if they kill the old government?
This has revelance to the U.S. as the aztalan separatists are a growing group.
Then there is the whole Chechnyan situation.
What about Somalia?
Why is Kuwait separate from Iraq?
Why is there an Iraq?
Who gets to decide what area is what country? The people who live there or the militarily strongest interested party?
