MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Formal Chilean protest to Bolivia.

Chile presented Bolivia a formal protest following the signing of a natural gas supply agreement between Argentina and Bolivia that specifically excludes any gas from going to Chile said Chilean Foreign Affairs minister Soledad Alvear.

The formal protest was presented by Deputy Foreign Affairs minister Carlos Portales to Bolivia's General Consul in Chile, Víctor Rico.

"Additionally we've informed the Consul that we're suspending all negotiations for an Economic Complementation Agreement", indicated Ms. Alvear.

Chile's grievance was triggered by a clause in the Argentine-Bolivian agreement that specifically states that the Bolivian gas "will not be destined or commercialized to third countries", in direct reference to Chile that is gas short following Argentina's decision to restrict shipments because of insufficient production. Argentina is Chile's main supplier of natural gas which is used mainly for generating electricity.

"We don't believe it helps any integration process the fact that certain countries specifically ban exports of their products to other countries in the region", emphasized Chilean president Ricardo Lagos who was hosting in Government House Ecuadorian president Lucio Gutiérrez in a state visit to Chile.

During the visit of Mr. Gutiérrez several agreements were signed including one that facilitates Chilean access to Ecuador's rich energy resources. Ecuador has been historically Chile's ally in the Pacific coast.

Last week in Buenos Aires Bolivian President Carlos Mesa signed an accord guaranteeing Argentina a supply of four million cubic meters of natural gas per day during six months to help mitigate Argentina's shortage.