Argentina argues that Botnia uses banned substances and Uruguay denies it

In a new hearing in the International Court in The Hague, the government of Uruguay accused the Argentine government of “consenting” to the roadblocks. Meanwhile, the Argentine government reiterated that the paper mill caused ”pollution” and it uses “prohibited substances”.

The Uruguayan delegation, headed by the embassador of that country in the United States, Carlos Gianelli, started his term of final hearings today before the international tribunal, which will end on October 2nd.

After denying that the finnish paper mill causes pollution, Gianelli suggested that the pollutants in the Uruguay River would be the product of agricultural activity on the Argentine side, and he remarked that the effluents from Pastera “are controlled by the Uruguayan authorities.”

Regarding the roadblock on the General San Martin International Bridge that has been held since November 2006, the Uruguayan embassador reminded that it was conducted under the consent of Argentina. And he recalled that the measure has caused losses of a million dollars for Uruguay.

The delegation of Argentina, headed by Susana Ruiz Cerutti, talked about Uruguay’s position:

“Not only has it been proven that the Botnia plant pollutes the river and its surrounding areas, deteriorating the quality of life of the nearby towns, including the most inhabited city (Gualeguaychú and its 100,000 inhabitants), but the use of prohibited subtances has been proved as well.”

According to official sources, the heads of the Foreign Ministry insisted that the plant’s installation clearly violated the Statue of 1975 that governs the the use of the shared river.

“The dispute between Argentina and Uruguay resides in the fact that Uruguay didn’t respect the Statute of the Uruguay River with the plants ENCE and Botnia. With their action, Uruguay attempted gain time trying to impose the plants’ installation on Argentina,” according to official sources.