| 1984 Argentina And Chile Peace And Friendship Treaty |
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Background With a strategic location south of the Beagle Channel and with a congruent maritime extension of 30,000 square miles, including fishing and mineral (presumably oil), and possible Antarctic Peninsula rights, the zone had been in contention since the early 1800s colonial period when both Argentina and Chile emancipated from Spain . Although, first agreement to limit weapons acquisitions was from 1902 , both countries had still near other 50 places in dispute along their common border of 5.308 kilometres, one of the longest of the world, making the relations between them very cold. Escalation Often negotiated, the Beagle Channel issue went finally to the International Court Of Justice (ICJ) in 1971 and to arbitration by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II . On May 2, 1977 the queen ruled that the islands and all adjacent formations belonged to Chile. Argentina disputed the decision and sought bilateral negotiations. In July each side protested territorial buoys placed by the other. Without an official border delimitation, both countries repeatedly violated air and maritime spaces. Bilateral negotiations failed. On 25 January 1978 Argentina declared the award ''fundamentally null'' and soon relations became extremely tense. Two bilateral commissions, seeking a solution, accomplished little. Chile asked for ICJ mediation; Argentina sought continued negotiation. Both countries made important military deployments moving to the brink of open warfare. On December 9 1978, Argentina sent a naval squadron to the Beagle Channel region. Chile followed suit. Both Armies concentrated large troops on the border. Both prepared for war. In what had became known as ''the last minute call before invasion'', Venezuela n President Carlos Andrés Pérez called President of the United States Jimmy Carter and Carter called Pope John Paul II . On December 11, Pope John Paul II sent a personal message to both presidents urging a peaceful solution. War preparations continued as did diplomatic efforts to avert hostilities. Argentina complained to the United Nations ; Chile asked the Organization Of American States to convene. On December 21, Chile accepted the Pope's mediation. Argentina did so the next day. They would allow the Pope to mediate the dispute through the good offices of Antonio Cardinal Samoré , his special envoy. On January 9, 1979 the Act Of Montevideo was signed pledging both sides to a peaceful solution and a return to the military situation of early 1977. Solution On 1982 , Argentina went to war against the United Kingdom in the Falklands/Malvinas War and again both countries made great military deployments in their common border. No significant reduction in tensions occurred until the democratic government of Raúl Alfonsín took office in Argentina in December 1983 . Still isolated of the World due the Falklands crisis, the Alfonsin administration made great efforts to stabilize the foreign front. Finally, on January 23, 1984 Argentina and Chile signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship at Vatican City giving the islands to Chile but most maritime rights to Argentina. Map with current borders The Treaty includes also the limitation of the Strait Of Magellan . Alfonsin called for a national plebiscite and after 80 per cent of the Argentine electorate voted to accept the Vatican-mediated compromise, a protocol of agreement to a treaty was signed on October 18, 1984. The Treaty was ratified by Argentina on March 14, 1985 and by Chile on April 12. Aftermath In spite of having a common history when they fought together for their independence and the other neighbouring countries (please check José De San Martín and Bernardo O'Higgins for further reading), Argentina and Chile suffered very difficult moments in their relations during the twentieth century but fortunately without a war. On the 1990s , under the presidency of Carlos Menem in Argentina and Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle in Chile, they resolved all the remaining disputes ( like Laguna Del Desierto ) and both countries begun a strong integration in Economic and military aspects. Cultural impact 2005 Chilean movie ''Mi mejor enemigo'' ( English : My best enemy) See also References
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