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I. CASE BACKGROUND

1. Abstract

Throughout much of their history, Chile and Argentina have disagreed over the definition of their shared border, particularly in the area surrounding the southern tip of the South American continent, a region characterized by its Antarctic climate and value to scientific research.  Though the two countries committed to a Peace and Friendship Treaty in 1984, and have technically reached consensus regarding their claims to three islands south of the Beagle Channel, some border-related disputes still continue.  Most notably, each country continues to lay claim to overlapping Antarctic territory.  That region’s growing significance with respect to the study and impact of climate change, as well as its potential wealth in natural resources, make it increasingly relevant to international interests.  Argentina and Chile’s turbulent history of territorial disputes sets an ominous tone for future relations as climate trends continue to impact the Southern Cone and Antarctica.

2. Description

History of Territorial Disputes
In the past, Argentina and Chile have quarreled, and even approached war, due to border-related and territorial claim disputes.[1]  Most notably, there was a crisis in 1978 regarding three islands to the south of Chile and Argentina,[2] which, though settled by 1984’s Peace and Friendship Treaty, left a marked impact on the countries’ relations throughout future years.[3]  Currently, there is disagreement over the exact boundary between Chile and Argentina that extends over the Southern Patagonian ice fields.  A small area towards the south of the Chilean-Argentine border remains undefined, though a 1998 agreement signed in Buenos Aires partially attempts to address the demarcation.[4]  The disputed region, which encompasses some of Southern Patagonia’s famed ice fields, is a hot-spot for many reasons, and is currently suffering the consequences of climate change, with many of its glaciers melting at a rapid pace.[5]  This further contributes to the conflictive dynamic between the two countries that exists with regard to their overlapping claims to Antarctic territory. 

Current Factors that Contribute to Risk of Conflict
As attention shifts towards Antarctica and Southern Patagonia in the 21st century, the stakes of the Chilean-Argentine territorial debate become higher and the overall situation could become volatile.  Several countries in addition to Chile and Argentina make formal claim on Antarctic territory, though overlaps, treaties, and international opinion dispute their validity.[6]  On June 6th of 2006, several environmental specialists and politicians, representing 45 countries, convened at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland.  There, they discussed what they determined to be a pressing obligation to incorporate Antarctic study within the broader movement to address climate change.[7]  Among those countries that participated in the consultations were Argentina, Chile, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and India, among others; however, 17 others were present as non-consultative parties and several international organizations including the United Nations Environmental Program and the World Trade Organization also sent representatives.[8]

Although it is prohibited to exploit Antarctica’s natural resources, some Chilean oil companies are rumored to be considering the prospect of oil exploration in the territory under Chile’s claim in Antarctica.[9]  Though this is rather speculative, it reflects a tangible trend of general commercial interest in Antarctica’s natural resources, especially oil.  A section of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty addressed this issue, placing an official ban on their exploitation, though legal action regarding Antarctica has thus far bore little weight in countries’ decisions toward the region.[10][11]

The effect of climate change on Antarctica has drawn considerable attention to the discussion of political outcomes in the region, which places further pressure on the already precarious state of diplomatic affairs surrounding it.  For example, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has conducted several studies on global warming’s impact on Antarctica, and has presented its findings in high-level policy discussions.[12] A rise in air and sea surface temperatures in the Antarctic have led to reductions in the amount of ice in the sea, which has had not only an effect on the land’s geography but also on its biodiversity.  Rising temperatures and lower amounts of sea ice has decreased the population size of krill, a crustacean that constitutes a large part of the diet of emperor penguins.  This has, in turn, led to decreases in the penguin population for which Antarctica is perhaps most commonly known, and a great spark of scientific curiosity and concern.[13]

3. Duration: Present and Ongoing

Contention already exists between Chile and Argentina regarding the issue of their claims to Antarctic territory.  Presently, that land is becoming increasingly important to other international parties as well, which contributes to this dynamic.  As global warming and the fate of the Antarctic region continue to gain attention from lawmakers, scientists, and the general global public, the stakes too will continue to rise.

4. Location

Chile and Argentina comprise the Southern Cone of South America, the tip of which is separated from Antarctica by approximately 1,000 miles.  The region of Antarctica claimed by Chile and Argentina is that which is closest to the tip of the South American continent.

5. Actors

In addition to Chile and Argentina, other countries that lay claim to Antarctic territory may be involved in the land dispute, including Norway, Australia, France, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and possibly others who participated in the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.  Non-state actors such as scientific researchers or corporations also have an interest in the territory in question.

II. Environment Aspects

6. Type of Environmental Problem: Global Warming

Global warming is responsible for the increasing value of Antarctica across different segments of the global community, as it has led to significant environmental transformations including a loss of land mass and impacts upon wildlife, making it of more urgent concern to governments and scientists alike.  The pursuit of oil for various uses, which itself constitutes an activity detrimental to the environment, also has turned attention to Antarctica, where although treaties prohibit oil exploitation, interest still seems to exist.

7. Type of Habitat: Cool

The Antarctic region is characterized by its cool temperatures, though those are rising as global warming takes its toll.  This has had a significant impact on the landscape and biodiversity of Antarctica.

8. Act and Harm Sites:

Commons impact Antarctica: Global warming, produced by humans all over the globe, has impacted Antarctica and led to changes in its landscape and biodiversity that turn international attention towards the region and raise the stakes in Chile and Argentina’s dispute.

Chile and Argentina impact Antarctica: In the event of violent conflict, the likely staging area would be located in the Antarctic region, as that is the territory in question.  This could cause further environmental degradation to the already affected area.

III. Conflict Aspects

9. Type of Conflict: Interstate War

The dispute exists between the two distinct countries of Argentina and Chile, with little or no apparent disagreement within each country regarding the states’ territorial claims.

10. Level of Conflict: Low/Threat

At present, the conflict remains simply to be a diplomatic disagreement and no violent action has been taken by either side.

11. Fatality Level of Dispute (military and civilian fatalities)

Since the disputed land is in an area that is not inhabited by civilians from either country (Antarctica), it is likely that any deaths would be military.  The fatality level would likely not exceed 1,000 as they would be only military and the land mass in dispute is small and in a very cold environment.

IV. Environment and Conflict Overlap

12. Environment-Conflict Link and Dynamics:

13. Level of Strategic Interest: Global and Multilateral

Both the territory in question and the factors that exacerbate the dispute are of global and multilateral interest.  Several countries lay claim to Antarctica, and beyond that many others have interest in it for various reasons.  Further, companies that could benefit from its natural resources, though legally prohibited from exploiting them, have an interest in the region as well.  Global warming, as the primary cause for environmental transformations in Antarctica and its surrounding areas, is created by people around the world and is of scientific interest to researchers in every country.

V. Related Information and Sources

15. Related ICE and TED Cases

Other ICE and TED cases that share features with this study include:

Case No. 62-Canfish (international regulation of common territory)

Case No. 49-Morspain (disputed claims to fisheries)

Case No. 102- Turbot (rights of countries to exploit coastal waters)

Case No. 40- Aegan (ongoing territorial dispute)

Case No. 91-Nicaragua-honduras (long history of territorial disputes)

16. Relevant Websites and Literature

http://www.state.gov/t/ac/csbm/rd/4356.htm “Joint Presidential Declaration Between Argentina and Chile on Confidence- and Security-Building,” Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, United States Department of State, 16 Feb, 1999.

http://www.cecs.cl/web/cecs_index.php?area=cecs&dep=glaciologia&idioma=en&pagina=publicaciones resources on climate change studies in the Antarctic region near the Chilean/Argentine border

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4073675.stm “Hunting Climate Change Evidence,” article from BBC News in 2004 regarding Antarctic relevance to study of climate change

http://www.atcm2006.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1148477185976 webpage for Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting 2006

http://www.uvm.cl/sitio_iri/monografias2005/RECIPROCIDAD%20EN%20LAS%20RELACIONES%20CHILE%20ARGENTINA%20-%20Andr%E9s%20Oelckers.pdf Oelckers Sainz, Andres Fabio, “Reciprocidad en las relaciones Chile-Argentina,” Universidad de Vina del Mar, 2005. 

Sources:

Photo Credits: Stephanie Laporte; National Science Foundation; United States Department of State; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association