Chile, Argentina to build two trans-Andes tunnels

[Judi Lynn]

Sunday, 1 November 2009
Chile, Argentina to build two trans-Andes tunnels

Chile and Argentina agreed Friday to build road and railway tunnels across their common border in a project aimed at opening two new routes through the towering Andes, officials said.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and Argentina’s President Cristina Kirchner signed the agreement here as part of a broader treaty to promote integration and cooperation along their mountainous 5,000-kilometer (3,100 miles) border.

Bachelet said the agreement was the first of its kind in Latin America, while Kirchner said its aim was to “unite the potential that helps generate better living conditions for our people.”

The railway project, which is not new, calls for a 23-kilometer (14-mile) tunnel through the Andes mountain chain to link the cities of Mendoza in Argentina and Los Andes in Chile.

More:
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2009/11/01/wld02.asp

[rabs]

1. Christ the Redeemer on the Argentina-Chile border, 12,572 feet up in the Andes

There is a plaque on the base of the statue that says (in Spanish):

"Sooner shall these mountain crags crumble to dust than Chile and Argentina shall break this peace which at the feet of Christ the Redeemer they have sworn to maintain.



Road on the Argentine side leading to the statue and the border. Road is impassable during the South American winter because of the heavy snowfall. The statue is near the Mendoza tunnel.

The statue is 7 meters high (21 feet) mounted on a 6 meter (18 feet) granite pedestal.

Those two leftie ladies, Michelle and Cristina, with the latest agreement, are ensuring that Chile and Argentina will live in peace.

Here is the full story from Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_the_Redeemer_of_the_Andes

[Judi Lynn]

3. Overwhelming symbolism, isn't it? Remarkably created statue.

Didn't know it was there, and the vow at the base seems meant to endure. So perfectly worded.

The insight/observation shared by Peace Patriot brings tears to the eyes.

Thanks to you both.

[Braulio]

4. That's nice

When I lived in Argentina, I had to hide a Chilean family in my garage, because the government at the time was rounding up Chileans and sending them back to Chile...this was during the Videla regime, when the two countries almost went to war, in the fall of 1978.

[Peace Patriot]

2. Thanks for this informative post! That road to Christ the Redeemer looks as difficult as

what he said: "Love thy neighbor as thyself."