Chile rejects Bolivia's allegations over ocean access dispute

[News_Editor]

Chile rejects Bolivia's allegations over ocean access dispute

2011-03-25 06:19:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANTIAGO, CHILE (BNO NEWS) -- Chile strongly rejected the allegations expressed by the Bolivian government in regards to the Pacific Ocean access dispute which was lost in an armed conflict over a century ago.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said that the allegations are not valid as the 1904 Treaty clearly established the limits between the two South American countries. He added that the agreement guarantees the stability and peace in the bilateral relations.

On Wednesday, Bolivian President Evo Morales threatened to take the case to the international court in The Hague as the bilateral dialogue has not progressed. Bolivia lost access to the Pacific Ocean after losing a war with Chile 132 years ago.

Morales included in his 13-point Agenda the sea dispute with Chile which has been in dialogue since 2006. The Bolivian president considered that taking the matter to the international court is the proper next step in the process after not receiving a concrete response after five years of talks.

"The international community must understand that it is time to heal this open wound in Bolivia that keeps us without sea access. A fair ruling is needed that returns such access to our nation," added Morales.

However, his Chilean counterpart Pinera warned that if Bolivia takes the case to The Hague court, relations between the two countries will be affected. Chile's leader added that Morales' remarks are 'far from reality'.

"Bolivia cannot expect a direct, sincere dialogue while at the same time threatening to go to international courts and agencies to break a valid deal. This action is inadmissible," said President Pinera.

Boliva broke off diplomatic relations with Chile in 1978 due to this issue. Ministerial-level talks on the dispute were resumed earlier this year and Bolivia set March 23 as a deadline for a response which was not granted.

Bolivia is requesting a sovereign path through Chile's north that ends in the Pacific Ocean near the border with Peru. Last October, Peru and Bolivia signed an agreement for the construction of a Bolivian port in Peru's coastal line.

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