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Bolivia to Chile: Give Us Sea Access or We'll Sue

Landlocked country aims to regain access after 132 years

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 24, 2011 2:15 PM CDT

(Newser) – After more than a century with no access to the Pacific, Bolivia is threatening to take Chile to international court in a fight for its right to sail. Bolivia lost those rights in a war 132 years ago, and it remains an “open wound,” according to President Evo Morales. “We must go to international tribunals and organizations to demand free and sovereign access to the sea,” he said. But Chile’s leader said the idea presented a “serious obstacle” in their relations, the BBC reports.

Bolivia had set a deadline of March 23—the country's "Sea Day"—for proposals from Chile, but Chile offered none. “Bolivia cannot expect a direct, frank and sincere dialogue while it simultaneously manifests its intention to go to international tribunals,” said Chile’s president, Sebastian Pinera, in what he called a “categorical rejection” of Morales' "unacceptable pretension."

Bolivian marines parade past Bolivia's President Evo Morales, top center, as part of Sea Day celebrations in La Paz, Bolivia, Wednesday March 23, 2011.
Bolivian marines parade past Bolivia's President Evo Morales, top center, as part of Sea Day celebrations in La Paz, Bolivia, Wednesday March 23, 2011.   (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
President Evo Morales, center, attends a celebration honoring national hero Eduardo Avaroa, who died in the 1879-1884 War of the Pacific, as part of Sea Day celebrations in La Paz, March 23, 2011.
President Evo Morales, center, attends a celebration honoring national hero Eduardo Avaroa, who died in the 1879-1884 War of the Pacific, as part of Sea Day celebrations in La Paz, March 23, 2011.   (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
President Evo Morales, center, waves accompanied by VP Alvaro Garcia Linera, left, and Commander of the Armed Forces Admiral Armando Pacheco at a Sea Day celebration in La Paz, March 23, 2011.
President Evo Morales, center, waves accompanied by VP Alvaro Garcia Linera, left, and Commander of the Armed Forces Admiral Armando Pacheco at a Sea Day celebration in La Paz, March 23, 2011.   (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 3 comments
n230099
Mar 24, 2011 4:15 PM CDT
The debate is not new: http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/1642/chileans_reject_granting_sea_access_to_bolivia/ An interesting history and some maps that show the prior National boundaries is here: http://warofthepacific.com/ Very interesting...
Aitchondo
Mar 24, 2011 2:58 PM CDT
Hopefully common sense and level heads will win out, but how often does that happen?I understand that these are just small fish compared to the whales who are fighting now, but Mr Joshua, keep your head and ass low.
 

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