Chile confirmed Thursday that it has recalled its ambassador to Peru as a result of the maritime boundary demand presented by Peru at the international court at The Hague.

 

Chilean Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley said that, in this kind of situations "it is normal to summon home the ambassador, it is a usual step in diplomacy. And he is going to be here as long as necessary."

 

Foxley said he will hold "a long conversation with the ambassador Cristian Barros to analyze the situation" and "to get ready for the future scenario."

 

"We are going to take some days to review all the agenda and to agree on a very fine strategy in respect to this issue. I do not want to dramatize this," said Foxley.

 

The main goal is to assure "that what occurred will allow us a good defense for Chile, but also normalcy in relations with neighboring countries," Foxley added.

 

The Hague Court reported Wednesday that Peru "began procedures against Chile demanding a zone within 200 miles of the coast, that belongs to Peru but Chile believes is part of its ocean."

 

Chile argues that the maritime boundary with Peru was established under two bilateral accords signed in 1952 and 1954.

 

Peruvian President Alan Garcia told parliament Wednesday the lawsuit aimed to solve the problem peacefully, fairly and completely and that he hoped to avoid any damage to the relations between the two countries.

 

Peru said the two treaties were merely fishing accords and accused Chile of "grabbing" 37,900 sq km of rich sea area from Peru.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2008)