1.
LV Port area of Rosario
0.03

2.
CU PAN FROM Argentina and Bolivian flags flying side by side TO Sign of "Free Bolivian Zone"
0.11

3.
SV Boats in harbour
0.15

4.
SV PAN DOWN Flags of both nations on crane
0.19

5.
LV PAN DOWN Rosario municipal building
0.29

6.
SV Left to Right: Santa Fe Provincial Governor, Vice-Admiral Jorge Anibal Desimoni (sunglasses); Bolivian Foreign Minister, General Oscar Adriazola Valda, and Argentina's Foreign Minister, Rear Admiral Cesar Augusto Guzzeti and other officials walk forward and enter building (2 shots)
0.37

7.
GV INTERIOR Audience seated
0.42

8.
CU ZOOM OUT FROM Argentina's Foreign Minister TO Three officials seated
0.50

9.
CU Argentina's Foreign Minister signs agreement
1.05

10.
SV Bolivian Foreign Minister shakes hands with Argentina's Foreign Minister and Provincial Governor
1.20


The Bolivian Government has expressed satisfaction at the new agreement with the Argentine over a free zone for Bolivian exports. It is also continuing a diplomatic campaign to gain support for its demands that Chile should allow a direct access corridor to the Pacific Ocean for Bolivia.




Initials CL/1735



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Bolivia has signed a new agreement with the Argentine Government for the shipment of Bolivian exports through the free port zone at Rosario City on the Parana River.

SYNOPSIS: The agreement was first drawn up in 1972. for land-locked Bolivia, Rosario is a major trade link to the Atlantic Ocean. The new deal covers Bolivian manufactured goods as well as tin and iron ore exports which make up much of the country's foreign currency earnings. Bolivia has a similar agreement with Paraguay which provides access via the River Plate to the sea.

Before signing the new agreement, Bolivian Foreign Minister, Oscar Adriazola Valda (centre), was shown around the Rosario free-port zone, by the Argentine Foreign Minister, Rear Admiral Cesar Augusto Guzzeti (right). General Valda was on an official visit to the Argentine. He has been tipped as a possible successor to Bolivian President, Hugo Banzer Suarez.

A direct outlet to the sea has been Bolivia's ambition since 1879 when it lost the Pacific province of Antofagasta and part of Tarapace Province to a conquering Chilean Army. In that war, Bolivia's ally Peru also lost territory to Chile. Chile and Peru agreed not to cede disputed territories to third parties without prior consultation and mutual agreement.