MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile will not cede “sovereignty” to Bolivia

The Chilean government discarded any possibility of ceding territorial sovereignty in exchange for Bolivia exporting natural gas through Chile.

Trade policies "do not involve ceding part of the country's sovereignty" said Francisco Vidal, Chilean government Secretary in response to a statement by the new Bolivian Foreign Affairs Minister Luis Ignacio Siles del Valle.

"Any future natural gas negotiation should not be contrary to our fair re-vindication of a free and sovereign port in the Pacific", said Mr. Siles del Valle last Sunday talking in the name of incoming president Carlos Mesa.

In his first speech last Sunday Mr. Siles del Valle indicated that the export of Bolivian gas either through Chile or Peru will be decided in a referendum that will also have to determine a "permanent State policy on the issue", and concentrate on "deciding whether the Bolivia government will have ownership over those resources".

When asked about the Bolivian minister remarks Mr. Vidal said that they are "worthy" but underlined that Chile's policy in the matter remains "unalterable".

"We will collaborate as much as possible (with the export of Bolivian gas) as long as Chilean sovereignty stands and is respected".

Bolivia is landlocked and has been since it lost a strip of land, 125 years ago, during an armed conflict with Chile.