Settling one of Latin America’s hotter environmental disputes, the International Court of Justice has ruled that although Uruguay violated a treaty by authorizing construction of an enormous pulp mill, Argentina has failed to prove the plant is causing cross-border contamination. The April 20 decision by the court, the highest tribunal in the United Nations justice system, means the Finnish-owned, US$1.1 billion plant can continue operating, and Uruguay won’t have to indemnify Argentina for alleged economic losses stemming from pollution. Reminding the two countries that their 1975 treaty obligates them to cooperate with each other, however, the UN tribunal urged Argentina and Uruguay to conduct joint monitoring of the pulp mill. Argentine President Cristina Kirchner appeared to accept the ruling. She said it... [Log in to read more]