PERU:Elevating tensions with its neighbour, the Peruvian government has filed suit in the international court against Chile, demanding a greater share of rich fishing waters in the Pacific Ocean.
The act sparked outrage in Santiago, where officials vowed to defend the current maritime boundaries.
Peru filed its petition at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, a body set up to resolve disputes between UN member states. The move came after years of denunciations by Lima of the current Pacific boundaries, which were set in the 1950s.
Peru maintains it has never recognised the limits and last year published an official map claiming expanded territorial waters. Peruvian president Alan Garcia said the move was a legitimate legal case and not a cheap shot at its neighbour.
"Peru takes this step with firmness and serenity, without stridency," Mr Garcia told the nation's parliament, adding that good relations between Lima and Santiago "must be preserved".
"The government of Chile profoundly laments this presentation," said foreign minister Alejandro Foxley, citing treaties and decades of practice recognising Chilean sovereignty in the disputed waters.
While the case has led to diplomatic ill-will few expect open conflict. Court proceedings are expected to drag on for years.
At issue are almost 15,000 square miles of ocean off the coasts of southern Peru and northern Chile. The current limit extends westward in a straight line from the countries' land border. Peru contends it should proceed along a diagonal line to the southwest, thus expanding its territorial waters.
From Chile's viewpoint, Peru agreed to the current limits half a century ago in a series of treaties. But Peru maintains there was never a formal accord.
The countries have many ties, but have been political rivals since a 19th century war won by Chile resulted in Peru losing a vast swath of mineral-rich southern territory. Nationalist factions in both countries still allude to the conflict, which is a source of pride in Chile and humiliation in Peru.
Chile in recent years has become an economic power, its success largely fuelled by export of copper. Peru has also experienced an export boom and rapid economic growth, but remains a nation where much of the population lives in poverty.
The case has also reverberated in Bolivia, which borders both Peru and Chile and also lost land to Chile in the 19th century war. Landlocked Bolivia has held talks with Chile about forming a possible Bolivian land corridor to the sea. But the maritime dispute could complicate matters, since any Bolivian port would be close to disputed waters now formally claimed by Peru. - (LA Times/ Washington Post service)