Bolivia Requests Recognition of Sovereignty Over Silala

Roberto Calzadilla, Bolivia's ambassador to the Netherlands and agent before the ICJ, requested the court to recognize his country's sovereignty over the artificial canals and drainage mechanisms of the Silala River placed in Bolivian territory. 

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As for his second and final participation in the round of oral arguments on the case, the agent said that the ICJ is also being asked to recognize that Bolivia has jurisdiction to make decisions on the maintenance of such artificial structures. 

During Chile's second round of arguments that took place last Monday, Klein Kranenberg, Laurence Boisson, and, its agent Ximena Fuentes addressed the issue. They said that no impediment would be placed in the way of Bolivia's future use of the waters of the Silala based on the principle of equitable and reasonable use.
 
The disagreements between the parties involved, in fact, the understanding and implementation of the principle of equitable and reasonable use together with the associated obligations regarding information exchange and advance notice, Boisson said.   

The ambassador of Bolivia to the Netherlands and Agent before the International Court of Justice, Roberto Calzadilla, makes a statement regarding the country's participation in the second round of oral arguments at the ICJ for the case of the Silala Waters.

The official went on to say that the uses of these waters go back to the early 20th century, with Bolivia having never disputed Chile's uses, adding that Bolivia also used them during the same period by granting a concession.

The Chilean defense requested the ICJ to rule that Bolivia is responsible for preventing and containing contamination and any other form of damage to Chile caused by its operations near the Silala River.