MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Argentina questions UPM-Botnia's political influence on Uruguayan government
Timerman: it all happened following the visit of a Finnish minister to Montevideo Argentine foreign minister Hector Timerman said that the pulp mill dispute with Uruguay is 'political' and wondered how great is Finland's' Botnia-UPM influence in the country, but at the same time underlined that all chances of dialogue have been 'exhausted'.
“The problem is political: how great is the influence of Botnia-UPM in Uruguay” said Timerman in reference to the latest dispute following the Uruguayan government decision authorizing the pulp mill to increase its annual production and which triggered the current situation.
Timerman added that Argentina has no problems with Uruguay, but “we believe Botnia-UPM must adjust to all of the River Uruguay statute rulings, which are very clear regarding contamination and that is the responsibility of the Uruguayan government, but we haven't been able to advance at all in this field in the last four years”.
The minister pointed out that Argentina had exhausted all possibilities of continuing with dialogue, “mainly because of the unilateral brash decision by Uruguay authorizing the increase of production with no previous notice”.
“The news took the government of President Cristina Fernandez by surprise and strangely enough happened one or two days following the visit of an important Finnish minister to Montevideo where he met with top authorities. This is also really surprising”, said Timerman.
He added that Uruguayan authorities have repeatedly denied information on the UPM-Botnia situation. Access to the plant is very strict and inspectors are prevented from random visits. “Any such visit must be advanced with an anticipation of 10 to 15 days”.
“We will take all the necessary measures we consider we must take given this situation”, concluded Timerman.
Uruguayan authorities insist they informed the Argentine government of the production increase authorization and the higher environmental conditions imposed on the pulp mill.
Argentina reacted to the production increase announcement describing it as “an unfriendly act” and anticipated it would take the case again to the International Court of The Hague, plus 'reassess' all bilateral relations at all levels.
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules-
-
-
Read all commentsThe Finnish are speaking to another sovereign state, they do not need to consult you before they do so, neither does Uruguay. WTF do you think you are?
Jun 17th, 2014 - 07:55 am 0Uruguay is a sovereign nation. It will do whatever it wants to do and doesn't need Argentina's permission or blessing.
Jun 17th, 2014 - 09:12 am 0It's time South America woke up to the fact that Argentina is a paper tiger. It is militarily weak, morally bankrupt, and is all noise and no trousers.
Uruguay just tell them to foxtrot oscar. Refuse to discuss ANYTHING with them unless they honour the treaty to dredge the channels in the River Plate. In fact, you could threaten them by stating that UNLESS Argentina plays ball, then Uruguay will PUBLICALLY state it's unequivical support for the Falkland Islanders, and recognise them as a completely legitimate British Overseas Territory - which we know that you already do.
But if you shout it out loud, it will put paid to the Argentine myth about everyone supporting them.
That might just be enough to make them capitulate, because at the end of the day Argentina hasn't got the guts for a real fight.
A few minutes are all it takes to research the many occasions that argieland ignores or misuses its treaties with Urineguay relating to the rivers at the border. Typical argie lies and misrepresentation.
Jun 17th, 2014 - 10:17 am 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!