MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Sea Access Dispute Enters 126th Year.

Bolivia has little hopes that Chile will hold talks to grant La Paz a sea access to the Pacific Ocean.

Press largely covered the issue recalled through a military ceremony to ratify the Bolivian demand for the sea access lost in 1879, when a Chilean expeditionary force disembarked in Antofagasta Port.

According to historic documents, the invasion stemmed from the defense of interests of an Anglo-Chilean export saltpeter firm, which was affected by a Bolivian tax.

Thus, the Pacific War started and Bolivia lost nearly 74,564 square miles, and Chile conquered vast Peruvian territories.

Press largely covered the issue recalled through a military ceremony to ratify the Bolivian demand for the sea access lost in 1879, when a Chilean expeditionary force disembarked in Antofagasta Port.

According to historic documents, the invasion stemmed from the defense of interests of an Anglo-Chilean export saltpeter firm, which was affected by a Bolivian tax.

Thus, the Pacific War started and Bolivia lost nearly 74,564 square miles, and Chile conquered vast Peruvian territories.

Bolivian Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Ignacio Siles recently asserted the lack of coastal access had largely affected the domestic economy and Bolivia would never relinquish from its maritime rights.

"Chile is the only western nation with which Bolivia lacks diplomatic relations. That proves there is matter to be resolved, noted Siles, who recalled that bilateral relations limited to the consular level.

Today, Bolivian officials are striving to talk Chile into including the sea issue in an agenda that allows for a new panorama in Montevideo, in March, when Foreign Affairs ministers from both sides are due to meet.

"Increased factors demonstrate the solution for the dispute not only will benefit Bolivia and Chile, but also the regional integration process," La Prensa newspaper published today.

The daily said the sea access recovery will only be attained through talks, and not through force, which confuses nations and does not resolve conflicts.

Bolivian Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Ignacio Siles recently asserted the lack of coastal access had largely affected the domestic economy and Bolivia would never relinquish from its maritime rights.

"Chile is the only western nation with which Bolivia lacks diplomatic relations. That proves there is matter to be resolved, noted Siles, who recalled that bilateral relations limited to the consular level.

Today, Bolivian officials are striving to talk Chile into including the sea issue in an agenda that allows for a new panorama in Montevideo, in March, when Foreign Affairs ministers from both sides are due to meet.

"Increased factors demonstrate the solution for the dispute not only will benefit Bolivia and Chile, but also the regional integration process," La Prensa newspaper published today.

The daily said the sea access recovery will only be attained through talks, and not through force, which confuses nations and does not resolve conflicts.