| **Stock-based Compensation Stock-based compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified**                      | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant                                                            | 12,200,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant                                                                                                                              |   |   |
| Shares Available For Option Grants In Lieu Of Restricted Stock Grants                                                                                              | 10,800,000stj_SharesAvailableForOptionGrantsInLieuOfRestrictedStockGrantsTwoThousandSevenPlan                                                                                                                                           |   |   |
| Shares Available For Restricted Stock Grants Two Thousand Seven Plan                                                                                               | 4,800,000stj_SharesAvailableForRestrictedStockGrantsTwoThousandSevenPlan                                                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| Reduction In The Number Of Shares Available For Certain Grants Of Restricted Stock Units Or Awards                                                                 | 2.25stj_ReductionInNumberOfSharesAvailableForCertainGrantsOfRestrictedStockUnitsOrAwards                                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| Shares Available For Option Grants In Lieu Of Restricted Stock Grants                                                                                              | 100,000stj_SharesAvailableForOptionGrantsInLieuOfRestrictedStockGrants                                                                                                                                                                  |   |   |
| Shares Available For Restricted Stock Grants                                                                                                                       | 100,000stj_SharesAvailableForRestrictedStockGrantsinLieuofOptions                                                                                                                                                                       |   |   |
| The number of restricted stock awards available are reduced for certain grants in lieu of options                                                                  | 1stj_Thenumberofrestrictedstockawardsavailablearereducedbythisnumberofsharesforcertaingrantsinlieuofoptions                                                                                                                             |   |   |
| Shares Available For Only Option Grants                                                                                                                            | 1,300,000stj_SharesAvailableForOnlyOptionGrants                                                                                                                                                                                         |   |   |
| Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized                                                            | $ 156us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized                                                                                                                                  |   |   |
| Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition                                    | 2 years 9 months 19 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| Employee Stock Purchase Plan Offering Period                                                                                                                       | 12stj_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanOfferingPeriod                                                                                                                                                                                           |   |   |
| Employee Stock Purchase Plan Employee Price Paid As A Percent Of Market Price                                                                                      | 85.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercent                                                                                                                                |   |   |
| Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans                                                                                                  | 600,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans                                                                                                                                                                  | 900,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans | 900,000us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans |
| Employee Stock Purchase Plan Outstanding Common Shares Available For Grant                                                                                         | 5,200,000stj_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanOutstandingCommonSharesAvailableForGrant                                                                                                                                                          |   |   |
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value                                             | 88us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue                                                                                                                          | 125us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue | 14us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue |
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Total Fair Value                       | $ 26us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue                                                                                                      | $ 18us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue | $ 11us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue |
| Employee Stock Option [Member]                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |   |
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period                                                                  | 8 years                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |   |   |
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period                                                                            | 4 years                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |   |   |
| Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units [Member]                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |   |
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period                                                                            | 4 years                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |   |   |
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ 68.89us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis= stj_RestrictedStockAwardsandRestrictedStockUnitsMember |   |   |
| Restricted Stock [Member]                                                                                                                                          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |   |
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ 63.48us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember                          | $ 42.26us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember | $ 37.63us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember |
| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |   |
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ 69.08us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember                  | $ 59.04us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember | $ 35.39us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember |
| Employee Stock [Member]                                                                                                                                            |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |   |
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ 15.46us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember                            | $ 13.06us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember | $ 9.39us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember |
| Director [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |   |   |
| Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period                                                                            | 6 months                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |   |   |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Employee stock purchase plan offering period.
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The number of common shares available for grant under the employee stock purchase plan.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**stj_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanOutstandingCommonSharesAvailableForGrant**Namespace Prefix:**stj_**Data Type:**xbrli:sharesItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**instant |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Reduction in the number of shares available for certain grants or other full-value award grants (2007 Stock Plan).
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The number of shares reserved for issuance for only stock options grants (excludes shares available for either options or full-value awards).
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**stj_SharesAvailableForOnlyOptionGrants**Namespace Prefix:**stj_**Data Type:**xbrli:sharesItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The number of shares reserved for issuance for option grants in lieu of restricted stock grants (2000 Stock Plan).
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**stj_SharesAvailableForOptionGrantsInLieuOfRestrictedStockGrants**Namespace Prefix:**stj_**Data Type:**xbrli:sharesItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The number of shares reserved for issuance for option grants in lieu of restricted stock grants or other full-value award grants (2007 Stock Plan).
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The number of shares reserved for issuance for only restricted stock grants in lieu of options (2000 Stock Plan).
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The number of shares reserved for issuance for only restricted stock grants or other full-value award grants (2007 Stock Plan).
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The number of restricted stock awards available are reduced by this number of shares for certain grants in lieu of options
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Estimated period over which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the equity-based payment award, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (d)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (d)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Purchase price of common stock expressed as a percentage of its fair value.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercent**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**num:percentItemType**Balance Type:**na**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of shares issued during the period as a result of an employee stock purchase plan.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30 -Article 5
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| X                                                                                                                                                                    |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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| X                                                                                                                                         |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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| X                                                                                                                                               |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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| X                                                                                                                                           |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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| X                                                                                                                                                   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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| X                                                                                                                                            |
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