Evo Morales: We Want Friendly Dialogue with Chile

Bolivian president Evo Morales said on Sunday that his government seeks a friendly dialogue with Chile to bring about the end of the conflict and consolidate sovereign access to the sea.

Speaking exclusively to teleSUR from the United Nations conference in New York, Morales said that the recent decision of the International Court of Justice in the Hague, that it will hear Bolivia’s claim demanding access to the Pacific Ocean, was an advancement for his country that was received with “humility” and “modesty.”

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The president said that the ruling was “a very important step” because it ends the injustice of the historic invasion in which Bolivia lost its access to the sea, and reiterated his willingness to establish dialogue with Chile and that he “complies with all their commitments and offers.”

The coastal territory was taken from Bolivia in The War of the Pacific (1879-1883) between the two countries, and Peru.  

“We don’t want winners and losers,” Morales told teleSUR, expressing his desire to come to a friendly deal.

Regarding the referendum that will define his ability to stand for a possible re-election for a further term in 2019, he said that he would leave a new possible mandate in the hands of the people.

“I will respect the results of the referendum. Everyone knows that the political and social situation in Bolivia has changed, and we will continue making the effort,” he said.

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Morales underlined that he has been the victim of media attacks by European nations that look down on his indigenous origin, but that “the organized people of Bolivia were who chose Evo as president.”

The president also said that the Union of the Latin American Nations (UNASUR) should serve as an example to follow during the next few years.

“If there is no manipulation from the North American empire, Latin America will be a model continent,” he said.

On the peace agreement of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) with the Colombian government, Morales said that “the revolution is not made with arms or bullets, but with conscience and with fight.”