During the Cold War, the legality of a sovereign state nationalizing foreign property was often debated among the world community. The two principal contrasting theories were: (1) socialist theory and (2) western capitalist theory. States from the third world often followed a nationalization theory that mirrored that of socialist thought. In addition, some third world regions, such as Latin America, had their own unique legal theory. The theory is the Calvo Doctrine. Its uniqueness is that it focused on the concept that aliens were not entitled to greater rights than those available to nationals. The 1990s brought the end of the Cold War, and abandonment by Latin American regimes of their former nationalization legal theory. During this decade, nations in this region entered into commercial agreements. These agreements privatized many industries, most notably utilities. This decade, however, has witnessed the election of populist leaders in Latin America that have suggested nationalizing foreign owned entities. One of these leaders, Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, has crafted a domestic economic policy of nationalizing foreign companies. This, in turn, raises the issue of the international legality of this policy. This paper will discuss the international legality of nationalization. Since bilateral investment treaties (BITS) have become the prominent international document that establishes legal guidelines for foreign investors and the domestic hosting state, we will conduct a legal analysis of a BIT. Specifically, the analysis will center on the BIT between Canada and Venezuela.
[...] diplomatic hostages in Iran, the decision to apply to international law was not decided by analyzing public international law's position on nationalization.[lix] The tribunal replied upon an economic treaty between the United States and Iran instead.[lx] Article IV paragraph 2 of the agreement stated that international law would be applied in the case of nationalization.[lxi] Here, if international arbitrators under (ICSID) or (UNCITRAL) turned to the BIT between Canada and Venezuela to determine if international law or domestic law would apply, the text offers no definitive answer. [...]
[...] Specifically, that the ruling executive or his administration is only nationalizing for a personally benefit.[xxv] Ultimately, the determination of public purpose depends upon the scope given by the adjudication body. Because the BIT between Venezuela and Canada establishes the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) or an ad hoc arbitration tribunal established under the Arbitration Rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL),[xxvi] international law will likely be applied, meaning that a broad public purpose scope should be given. [...]
[...] However, a technical argument brought within the text of the BIT between Venezuela and Canada could settle the issue of whether international or domestic law applies in favor of the former. The BIT provides the option of a tribunal under ICSID.[lxxix] Article XII of the BIT requires that “both the disputing Contracting Party and the Contracting Party of the investor are parties to the ICSID Convention.”[lxxx] Here, however, only Venezuela is a contracting party.[lxxxi] Canada, on the other hand, is only a signatory (in fact was the last state to sign the convention on December 15, 2006).[lxxxii] The BIT anticipates this possibility and provides another manner to bring a claim under the auspices of ICSID before the parties opt to an international arbitrator under the UNCITRAL. [...]
[...] [xxvi] Agreement Between the Government and of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Venezuela for the Promotion and Protection of Investments, art. XII [xxvii] Restatement (Third) of the Foreign Relations of the United States 712, cmt. f. (1987). [xxviii] Id. [xxix] Banco Nacional De Cuba v. Farr F. Supp (S.D.N.Y.1965). [xxx] Id. [xxxi] Kuwait and the American Independent Oil Co I.L.M (1982). [xxxii] Id. [xxxiii] Id. [xxxiv] Agreement Between the Government and of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Venezuela for the Promotion and Protection of Investments, art. [...]
[...] The Restatment states: “Compensation should be in convertible currency without restriction on repatriation, but payment in bonds may satisfy the requirement of just compensation if they bear interest at an economically reasonable rate and if there is a market for them through which their equivalent in convertible currency can be realized.”[cxiii] There have been, however, various forms of payments agreed upon in negotiation settlements.[cxiv] The Restatement comment gives two examples: “payment in nonconvertible currency that can be used for investment in productive assets in the taking state, or even payment in kind, as in the case of expropriation of investment in natural resources.”[cxv] While the Restatement's coverage of prompt, adequate, and effective compensation provides a comprehensive explanation of its three elements of just compensation, the text of the BIT between Venezuela and Canada also gives factors to be considered in determining compensation as well. [...]
APA Style reference
For your bibliographyOnline reading
with our online readerContent validated
by our reading committee
