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Bolivia: Morales criticises Chile over sea and solders Bolivia: Morales criticises Chile over sea and soldiers
(about 1 hour later)
Bolivia's President Evo Morales has renewed his calls for the release of three soldiers arrested in Chile.Bolivia's President Evo Morales has renewed his calls for the release of three soldiers arrested in Chile.
The soldiers were arrested in January after crossing the Chilean border carrying an assault rifle.The soldiers were arrested in January after crossing the Chilean border carrying an assault rifle.
In a speech marking the 134th anniversary of the war in which his country lost access to the Pacific Ocean, Mr Morales called the men "great defenders of the sea".In a speech marking the 134th anniversary of the war in which his country lost access to the Pacific Ocean, Mr Morales called the men "great defenders of the sea".
It was the first time in decades that a Bolivian leader celebrated the event.It was the first time in decades that a Bolivian leader celebrated the event.
Chile says the men were detained after entering the country illegally, while Bolivia argues they were following car smugglers as part of an army operation.Chile says the men were detained after entering the country illegally, while Bolivia argues they were following car smugglers as part of an army operation.
Bolivia said it would appeal to an international court if Chile did not release the soldiers.Bolivia said it would appeal to an international court if Chile did not release the soldiers.
'Open wound''Open wound'
Mr Morales accused Chile of making "political decisions" rather than ones based on law.Mr Morales accused Chile of making "political decisions" rather than ones based on law.
"As we claim our sea issue, Chile wants revenge [for it]. Our soldiers are great heroes of the sea and we will never abandon them," said the Bolivian leader."As we claim our sea issue, Chile wants revenge [for it]. Our soldiers are great heroes of the sea and we will never abandon them," said the Bolivian leader.
Landlocked Bolivia has a long-standing claim over sea access lost after the Pacific War, which started with the Chilean invasion of what used to the Bolivian port of Antofagasta on 14 February, 1879.Landlocked Bolivia has a long-standing claim over sea access lost after the Pacific War, which started with the Chilean invasion of what used to the Bolivian port of Antofagasta on 14 February, 1879.
For years, Mr Morales has been calling the border issue an "open wound".For years, Mr Morales has been calling the border issue an "open wound".
The current borders were set by a treaty signed in 1904, after Chile won the war.The current borders were set by a treaty signed in 1904, after Chile won the war.
Chilean President, Sebastian Pinera, rejected Bolivia's assertions and dismissed Mr Morales' latest protests.
"This (1904) treaty was agreed between governments and ratified by the Congress in both countries, so as a consequence it's valid and in full force," Mr Pinera told Chilean newspaper El Mercurio.
Bolivia broke off diplomatic relations with Chile over the territorial dispute in 1978.Bolivia broke off diplomatic relations with Chile over the territorial dispute in 1978.
In 2011, Mr Morales said Chile had failed to respond to a deadline he had set for progress in negotiations.In 2011, Mr Morales said Chile had failed to respond to a deadline he had set for progress in negotiations.
Chilean President Sebastian Pinera rejects Bolivia's assertions.
Mr Morales traditionally uses Bolivia's annual Day of the Sea, commemoration of its defeat by Chile in the 19th Century war on 23 March, to talk about sea access.Mr Morales traditionally uses Bolivia's annual Day of the Sea, commemoration of its defeat by Chile in the 19th Century war on 23 March, to talk about sea access.
This was the first time in decades that a Bolivian leader also used the anniversary of the invasion to claim the lost territory.This was the first time in decades that a Bolivian leader also used the anniversary of the invasion to claim the lost territory.
Chile is involved in a similar dispute over maritime boundaries with Peru, which also lost territory in the War of the Pacific.Chile is involved in a similar dispute over maritime boundaries with Peru, which also lost territory in the War of the Pacific.
In 2010, Peru signed a deal allowing Bolivia to build its own port on Peru's Pacific coast.In 2010, Peru signed a deal allowing Bolivia to build its own port on Peru's Pacific coast.
The demand for the return of its lost coastline is the subject of powerful national sentiment in Bolivia.The demand for the return of its lost coastline is the subject of powerful national sentiment in Bolivia.
The landlocked Andean nation maintains a small navy, and schoolchildren are taught that regaining access to the sea is a patriotic duty.The landlocked Andean nation maintains a small navy, and schoolchildren are taught that regaining access to the sea is a patriotic duty.