Document: 488 U.S. 428 109 S.Ct. 683 102 L.Ed.2d 818 ARGENTINE REPUBLIC, Petitionerv.AMERADA HESS SHIPPING CORPORATION et al. No. 87-1372. Argued Dec. 6, 1988. Decided Jan. 23, 1989. Syllabus A crude oil tanker owned by respondent United Carriers, Inc., a Liberian corporation, and chartered Amerada Hess Corp., also was severely damaged when it attacked in international waters Argentine military aircraft during the war between Great Britain petitioner Republic over Falkland Islands (Malvinas) off coast. Respondents brought separate actions against Federal District Court for damage they sustained attack. They invoked Court's jurisdiction under Alien Tort Statute (ATS), which confers original on district courts civil an alien tort committed violation of law nations or treaty States. suit general admiralty maritime federal courts, 28 U.S.C. § 1333, "the principle universal jurisdiction, recognized customary law." The dismissed respondents' complaints lack subject-matter ruling that their were barred Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act 1976 (FSIA). FSIA provides 1604 "[s]ubject to existing agreements States [was] party at time enactment this Act[,] foreign state shall be immune from jurisdiction" except as provided §§ 1605-1607, further 1330(a) "[t]he have without regard amount controversy any nonjury action . claim relief personam with respect is not entitled immunity" 1605-1607 applicable agreement. Appeals reversed, holding had consolidated ATS. Held: sole basis obtaining correctly because did authorize facts case. Pp. 433-443. (a) FSIA's text structure demonstrate Congress' intention courts. Sections work tandem: bars exercising immunity, hear suits both citizens aliens immunity. 435-436. (b) From decision deny immunity states cases involving property taken 1605(a)(3), plain implication granted those alleged violations do come within one exceptions. 435—436. (c) failure enact pro tanto repealer ATS passed may explained least part certainty whether conferred states. In light comprehensiveness scheme, doubtful even most meticulous draftsman would concluded Congress needed amend presumably other grants Title 28. 436-438. (d) rule statutory construction repeals are disfavored does apply here. This case involve two statutes supplement another, nor where more statute claimed repealed earlier dealing narrower subject. deal comprehensively subject sovereign FSIA, express provision "a preclude permits instant action. P. 438. (e) dealt enacted FSIA. Section 1605(b) expressly enforce lien vessel cargo state. Unless present another exception conferring petitioner. 438-439. (f) determined none exceptions enumerated applies noncommercial torts 1605(a)(5) limited its terms loss occurs definition "United States" 1603(c) including all "territory waters, continental insular, cannot construed include petitioner's attack high seas. 439-441. (g) Geneva Convention High Seas Pan-American Maritime Neutrality entered into create waive 1605(a)(1) signing agreement mention waiver availability cause Nor Treaty Friendship, Commerce Navigation Liberia carve out That nationals access each country "on conforming local laws," clearly "local laws" respondents must conform before bringing 441-443. 830 F.2d 421 (CA2 1987), reversed. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion Court, BRENNAN, WHITE, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, JJ., joined. BLACKMUN, J., filed concurring part, MARSHALL, joined, post, p. 443. Bruno A. Ristau, Washington, D.C., Charles Fried, Sol. Gen., amicus curiae, supporting petitioner, special leave Court. Douglas R. Burnett, New York City, respondents. Chief Justice REHNQUIST 1 Two corporations sued recover damages allegedly armed forces seas law. We hold action, (FSIA), 1330 seq., situation. 2 following complaints. Respondent tankers, Hercules, Shipping Corporation, corporation. contract executed City. used Hercules transport southern terminus Trans-Alaska Pipeline Valdez, Alaska, around Cape Horn South America, refinery Virgin Islands. On May 25, 1982, began return voyage, but fully fueled, Alaska. At time, archipelago some 200 islands—the British, Islas Malvinas Argentineans—in Atlantic June 3, officials informed belligerents location vessels tankers interests then traversing Atlantic, avoid attacks neutral shipping. 3 By 8, after stop Brazil, about 600 nautical miles Argentina 500 Falklands; she outside "war zones" designated Argentina. 12:15 Greenwich mean ship's master made routine report radio officials, providing name, call sign, registry, position, course, speed, voyage description. About 45 minutes later, circle Hercules. repeated his message who acknowledged receiving it. Six provocation, plane bomb Hercules; immediately hoisted white flag. second bombing soon followed, third came hours jet struck ship air-to-surface rocket. Disabled destroyed, reversed course sailed Rio de Janeiro, nearest safe port. Carriers suffered extensive deck hull damage, undetonated remained lodged her tank. After investigation Brazilian Navy, decided too hazardous remove bomb, July 20, scuttled 250 4 Following unsuccessful attempts obtain Argentina, commenced Southern sought $10 million ship; $1.9 fuel went down ship. violated Statute, 1350, only, States." Complaint ¶ 5, App. 20. 638 F.Supp. 73 (1986), 5 divided panel Second Circuit (1987). held corporations, sounded ("the justification"), asserted ("attacking proper suspicion investigation"). Id., 424-425. Viewing "no than jurisdictional grant based law," said "who within" scope governed "evolving standards 425, citing Filartiga v. Pena-Irala, 630 876, 880 1980). reasoned meant eliminate "existing remedies law" Statute. F.2d, 426. dissenting judge took view precluded 431. certiorari, 485 1005, 108 1466, 99 697 (1988), now reverse. 6 start settled proposition lower "in exact degrees character seem public good." Cary Curtis, 44 (3 How.) 236, 245, 11 L.Ed. 576 (1845); see Insurance Corp. Ireland Compagnie des Bauxites Guinee, 456 694, 701, 2099, 2103, 72 492 (1982) (jurisdiction "limited subjects encompassed jurisdiction"). added new chapter 97 Code, 1602-1611, "Jurisdictional States."1 sections 1605 1607 chapter." 28; title agreement." 1330(a).2 7 think our As we Verlinden, "must applied every sovereign, since such depends existence specified immunity." Verlinden B.V. Central Bank Nigeria, 461 480, 493, 103 1962, 1971, 76 81 (1983).3 8 language legislative history support "general rule" governs court. Appeals, however, thought "focus commercial concerns" "repeal" indicated continue exercise alleging confines 427. believed construe bar "fly face" interpreted pursuant " 'standards law.' Ibid., quoting H.R.Rep., 14, U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News 1976, 6613. 9 Taking last these points first, mind For example, specifically denies rights issue." 1605(a)(3). rested power Art. I, cl. 10, Constitution "[t]o define punish Piracies Felonies Seas, Offenses Law Nations." See 12; S.Rep., 12, 6611. class just mentioned, draw 10 point Enacted First 1789, 1350. cite court exercised only has attention—one FSIA.4 argue unlawful taking prize wartime. Brief 18-25. makes no 1333(2) exclusive "all proceedings condemnation prize." Santissima Trinidad, 20 (7 Wheat.) 283, 353-354, 454 (1822), proceedings. case, rather libel admiralty. Thus there distinctly hypothetical cast Appeals' reliance repeal arguments disfavored. 12 speaks faintly, if all, issue involved scheme doubt 1331 (federal question), 1333 (admiralty), 1335 (interpleader), 1337 (commerce antitrust), 1338 (patents, copyrights, trademarks).5 "[c]laims should henceforth conformity principles set forth chapter," very likely sufficient. 1602 (emphasis added); 11, 6610 (FSIA "intended preempt State (excluding agreements) according sovereigns"). 13 similar reasons persuaded upon readily could seen supplementing Wood States, 41 (16 Pet.) 342, 363, 987 (1842), Morton Mancari, 417 535, 549-551, 94 2474, 2482-2483, 290 (1974). 1605-1607," suit. Red Rock Henry, 106 596, 601-602, 434, 438-439, 27 251 (1883); Tynen, 78 (11 Wall.) 88, 92, 153 (1871). distinguish among classes defendants, same effect passage defendants 14 1333(1), law, notwithstanding 42-49. But 15 Having court, turn These 1605(a)(1), activities occurring causing direct country, 1605(a)(2), expropriated inherited, gift, immovable located 1605(a)(4), non-commercial 1605(a)(5), liens, 1605(b). agree facts. F.Supp., 75-77.6 16 assert torts, point. 50-52. 17 money personal injury death, property, caused tortious act omission official employee while acting office employment." 1605(a)(5). 18 terms, primary purpose enacting state's traffic accidents liability imposed domestic 20-21; 20-21. 19 occurred 5,000 shores Despite telling facts, nonetheless defines States," 1603(c), seas, Plymouth, 70 36, 125 (1866). reason, therefore, "by definition" 50-51. find logic unpersuasive. modifying phrase "continental insular" restrict islands possessions; reading render nugatory. Likewise, term "waters" reasonably read cover might jurisdiction. When desires so, knows how place reach statute.7 thus canon teaches legislation Congress, unless contrary intent appears, territorial Foley Brothers Filardo, 336 281, 285, 69 575, 577, 93 680 (1949); Weinberger Rossi, 32, 1510, 1516, 71 715 (1982). Because unquestionably well 3-mile limit apply.8 21 result altered fact effects state, transporting intended use disrupted contractual payments due York. 51. Under activity liable "outside territory having "direct effect" inside States.9 exception, rely, effects" explicit so indicates covers 1605(a)(2) 22 disagree certain 17. noted, adopted [its] enactment." 1604. "expressly conflic[t]" provisions 17; 17, 6616, hardly circumstances Apr. 29, 1958, [1962] U.S.T. 2312, T.I.A.S. 5200, Pan American Convention, Feb. 1928, 47 Stat.1989, 1990-1991, T.S. 845. 31-34. conventions, substantive rules conduct compensation paid wrongs.10 private Cf. Head Money Cases, 112 580, 598-599, 247, 253-254, 798 (1884); Foster Neilson, (2 253, 314, 415 (1829). can contains similarly unpersuasive argument Amicus Curiae Navigation, Aug. 1938, States-Liberia, 54 Stat. 1739, 956, carves 52-53; 11. Article I provides, pertinent "shall enjoy freedom justice laws." "conform" 23 judgment therefore 24 Reversed. 25 whom MARSHALL joins, part. 26 join insofar holds Ante, 431-439. latter majority notes, decide question, ante, 439, n. and, indeed, reserved 421, 429, 1987). Moreover, question presented petition receive full briefing, necessary disposition Accordingly, believe inappropriate here, first instance, Rule 21.1(a) (Court will consider questions petition); Youakim Miller, 425 231, 234, 96 1399, 1401, 701 (1976) ordinarily below). remand issue. Nation's founding until 1952, "generally complete suit" Judicial Branch deferred decisions Executive questions. 486, 1967, (1983). Department acts, acts. 487, S.Ct., 1968. "For part," "codifies" so-called "restrictive" theory 488, invoke 1330(a). did, serve Ministry Affairs service process 1608(a), regulations promulgated thereunder State, CFR pt. (1988). Pet. Cert. 38a, 41a. Subsection "[p]ersonal exist [subject-matter] subsection been [28 1608]." Thus, like exists applies. supra, 485, 489, 1969, 14. comprehensive supported inclusion venue, 1391(f), removal, 1441(d), attachment execution, 1609-1611. Our conclusion here history. See, e.g., H.R.Rep. 94-1487, (H.R.Rep.); S.Rep. 94-1310, pp. 11-12 (S.Rep.), 6604, "sets resolving raised "prescribes states"). Von Dardel Union Soviet Socialist Republics, 623 246 (DC 1985) (alternative holding). 876 (1980), Paraguayan national police torture; Government joined defendant. amended diversity delete references "foreign stat[e]" either plaintiff defendant, 1332(a)(2) (3) (1970 ed.), paragraph (4) preserves plaintiffs. explained, "[s]ince treated section 1330, 1332 becomes superfluous." 14; 13, Unlike statute, cited (or today) provide pass It note, regarding consistent 3. dissent found 430 (Kearse, J. dissenting). 89(a) (empowering Coast Guard search seize "upon "prevention, detection, suppression laws States"); ("special Criminal Code extends particular State"); 1701 (permitting President declare portions "high seas" customs-enforcement areas). historically adhered sea miles, California, 332 19, 32-34, 67 1658, 1665-1666, 91 1889 (1947), although conventions permit up miles. Restatement (Third) Relations 511 December 28, 1988, announced recognize Presidential Proclamation 5928, 547 connection elsewhere causes 22(1), (3), U.S.T., 2318-2319, warship board merchant "reasonable ground suspecting" piracy, slave trade, traveling false colors. If inspection fails suspicion, compensated sustained." comparable stopping ships aircraft. Similarly, Stat., 1990, 1994, determine cargo, "any blockade," force "fails observe instructions given it." provides: "A belligerent indemnify foregoing provisions. likewise responsible acts persons belong forces."

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