A Tunnel To Unite Old Rivals?
Plans for a tunnel linking Bolivia to the Pacific Ocean have been unveiled by three architects who say it could put an end to a 130 year-old dispute between the landlocked country and its neighbour, Chile.
The three Chilean architects claim the tunnel would allow Bolivia to regain access to the sea since it was defeated by Chile in the Pacific War in 1879. This has been one of Bolivia’s main demands for years, and is still strongly voiced by current President Evo Morales. The 150km (93 miles) tunnel would run from the Bolivian border to an artificial island created in the Pacific Ocean from earth dug to build the tunnel….
According to the plan, the tunnel would run under the so-called Line of Concord which separates Chile and Peru. The reason, the architects say, is that this is an area free of mines or cables which could potentially complicate the project.
But both Peru and Chile dispute the border. To go ahead, the project would also need the approval of Peru. And there are doubts about whether there would be the political will at a time when Peru and Bolivia are arguing about Peru’s decision to grant asylum to former opposition leaders from Bolivia.
In addition, the artificial island would be created in waters claimed both by Peru and Chile. And both countries have recently taken a row over coastal waters to the International Court of Justice in The Hague…. (more @ BBC News)
