Chile, Bolivia Boost Bi national Committee
Chile´s Foreign Relations Minister Alejandro Foxley Thursday announced creation of a bi-national commission between Chile and Bolivia to analyze specific issues in order to solve the bilateral maritime conflict.

The announcement was issued at the end of a friendly meeting between the Chilean Minister and Jose Pinelo, the new Bolivian consul in Santiago de Chile.

Chile and Bolivia have not had full diplomatic relations since late 1970. The very first step to reverse that situation will be encouraged by both nations´ deputy foreign ministers and is expected July 18, when authorities and technical staffs meet, explained Foxley.

The Chilean Chancellor expressed his country´s intention for a rapprochement with the government of President Evo Morales and other neighboring nations, an issue considered by President Michelle Bachelet even before her election, he asserted.

Santiago and La Paz broke off diplomatic relations after the failure of negotiations for a possible sea outlet for Bolivia that took place between ex-dictators Augusto Pinochet and Hugo Banzer in late 1970.

Bilateral relations have been marked by the effects of the Pacific War (1879-1884) when Chile snatched the entire Bolivian coast in a conflict encouraged by British economic interests and which similarly involved Peru.