World Court sets rules for San Juan River traffic [ Nicaragua / Costa Rica]

[arcos]

Source: Forbes

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- The United Nations' highest court has ruled that Costa Rican vessels can travel freely on the San Juan border river. But it has upheld Nicaragua's right to regulate that traffic and even to require Costa Rican vessels to fly the Nicaraguan flag.

The decision by the International Court of Justice ends a four-year legal fight and sets the rules for navigation on a river that has been the subject of dispute for nearly two centuries.

Under an 1858 treaty, the river entirely belongs to Nicaragua up to the Costa Rican bank, but Costa Rican ships have freedom of navigation.

Read more: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/07/13/ap6645985.html