BOLIVIA A POLITICAL AND STRATEGIC VIEW

Abstract

In his essay “Bolivia: A Political and Strategic View”, Dr. Francisco Balart Páez reflects on the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice, the United Nations judiciary based in The Hague, where it refused Bolivian desires to drag Chile to the negotiating table aimed at agreeing on the form and manner in which, under the prestige of a world-wide jurisdictional umbrella, it would be granted a sovereign outlet to the Pacific Ocean. He points out that the Internation- al Court’s decision has created a new political-strategic scenario, but it will contin- ue to play out the same show, a show that for now lacks a script because an hon- est and fruitful discussion is only possible when it is done on common grounds. As that situation does not exist, it is up to Chile to seize the opportunity and take the first step toward solidly reorganizing the game board, acting with serenity and boldness. On the other hand, Bolivia, in this new scenario, could operate through other relevant actors in the international order who, for understandable reasons, have shown sympathy for its cause to the detriment of Chile’s position.