Presidents Tabare Vazquez of Uruguay and Nestor Kirchner of Argentina in a file photo. (Photo by Argentine President's Office)
Uruguay's President Vazquez made a shameful decision to postpone Botnia's permit.
BY CHRONICLE EDITORS
Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez was in California last week to promote investment in his country. Vazquez told a meeting of the World Affairs Council in San Francisco how foreign investment was key to Uruguay's economic growth and job creation.
The day after, however, Vazquez made a decision negatively affecting Uruguay's largest foreign investor, Finland-based pulp producer Botnia. The company was scheduled to receive the final go-ahead to start production at its facility in Uruguay. At a cost of $1.2 billion, it represents the largest foreign investment ever in Uruguay and the largest Finnish investment abroad.
LAST-MINUTE DELAY
Yet, at the very last minute, the approval ceremony was delayed after urging from the Spanish government of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, which in turn was obviously acting on behalf of Argentina's President Nestor Kirchner. Spain agreed to act as a "mediator" in a long-running dispute between Uruguay and Argentina over the Botnia mill. The conflict can be summed up simply like this: Uruguay granted Botnia a concession to build a pulp mill. Kirchner claimed it would pollute neighboring Argentina as well. The Botnia mill passed several independent and international environmental tests by the World Bank and others proving him wrong. Yet, Kirchner continued to argue his case - among other places at the International Court of Justice in Hague. So far, that has cost Uruguayan taxpayers $3.5 million in legal expenses, according to Uruguayan newspaper El Pais.
The same paper reveals that the country's environment minister Mariano Arana had scheduled a formal signing ceremony for Thursday and invited officials from Botnia as well as local media. It was supposed to be moment of triumph for both Botnia and Uruguay. Yet, only moments before, Arana received a call from President Vazquez in California. Vazquez asked Arana to delay the signing. Vazquez, in turn, had been woken up at 6AM California time with a call from the Spanish government asking that the signing be delayed until the Ibero-American Summit in Chile this week.
The delay naturally surprised Botnia officials, who with reason could only sigh at yet another hurdle they had to face. (Others include constant demonstrations by Argentine NGO's and the international smear campaign by Kirchner). The delay also caused significant criticism from opposition politicians.
SHAMEFUL DECISION
We agree with the criticism. President Vazquez made a shameful decision to postpone the much-awaited signing. It is worth noting that the Vazquez administration has all along maintained that technical, not political, issues would decide its course on Botnia. In the end Vazquez gave in to political pressure from a source - Argentina's Kirchner - who doesn't care about Uruguay's progress.
Although Botnia will likely receive its final OK during the November 8-10 summit in Chile, the last-minute delay has put a dent in Uruguay's image as one of Latin America's most investment-friendly countries. It certainly weakened Vazquez' credibility to make any foreign trips promoting investment.
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From: Dr. Wayne Dwernychuk, Canada This dispute has 'alway' been a political issue. Technically, there is absolutely no evidence that environmental factors are at the forefront of the shameful stance of Kirchner and his incompetent administration. President Vazquez should have stood up the Argentine bully. Kirchner wishes only to supplant Uruguay's progress, while despicably uttering concerns for his 'people's' well fare.
Little will change with the crowning of yet another Kirchner in the top office of Argentine mismanagement.
From: dafna, montevideo I believe his decision is wise because he should establish a good reationship with Argentina, his neigbhor. This is not a time for heroism and pride. After the meeting with King of Spain, the process would continue smoothly. Very wise decision, though not dramatic. Who needs more drama in this world!?
From: Juan, Smith Botnia pulp mill in Fray Bentos is an ilegitimate investment. Its location violates the international law, the Estatuto del Río Uruguay signed by Uruguay and Argentina. We Argentines, don´t want the Botnia pulp mill contaminating our waters.
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