World Court Votes On Costa Rica - Nicaragua
San Juan Dispute
The International Court of Justice ruled in
favour of Costa Rica's demand that Nicaragua
lift restrictions on its tourist and
commercial boats on the San Juan river, that
borders both countries.
Although the river belongs to Nicaragua, a
fact that Costa Rica has never disputed,
under a 150 year old treaty Costa Rica has
the right to patrol the 205 kilometre river
that runs across both countries.
Nicaragua argued that its sovereignty over
the river gives it the right to regulate
traffic as it sees fit.
Costa Rica said, however, the same 1858
treaty accorded its vessels freedom of
navigation for commercial purposes, and
Nicaragua reneged on its obligations by
requiring visas and forcing Costa Rican
boats to stop for inspection at Nicaraguan
military outposts on the northern bank.
The court ruled on Monday that Costa Rica
has the right to navigate the river, so long
as the navigation is for commercial
purposes, including tourism related
activities or of the necessity of towns
along the river.
Nicaragua cannot demand visas or tourist
cards, although it has the right to ask and
verify the identity of any person navigating
the river.
The court also said that Costa Rican
authorities (police and security) cannot
navigate the river armed.
The river had been a source of tension since
the 1820s, and at one point the two
countries asked U.S. President Grover
Cleveland to arbitrate. His decision in 1888
governed traffic on the river for nearly a
century until the Nicaraguan civil war in
the 1980s, when navigation was disrupted for
several years.
The International Court of Justice is the
U.N.'s highest legal body, established in
1946 to resolve conflicts between states.
The court ruling ruling is binding on both
parties.
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World Court
Ruling in Brief
- Costa Rica has right to navigate river for
commercial and tourism purposes
- Costa Rican police navigating the river
cannot be armed
- Nicaragua cannot demand visas or tourist
cards, but can verify identity of anyone
navigating the river |
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