Chile protest over Bolivia unrest

By Clinton Porteous
BBC correspondent in Santiago

Anti-Chilean protests in Bolivia over planned gas exports have boiled over into violence and the cancellation of international bus services.

One politician has demanded greater protection for Chilean citizens travelling in the neighbouring country.

Protests in Bolivia have taken place amid a heavy military presence

Social unrest is rampant in Bolivia and there is a strong anti-Chilean sentiment to the protests.

An attack on a Chilean bus that destroyed windows and injured a passenger has sparked a strong reaction.

All bus companies in the northern Chilean city of Arica have cancelled cross-border services to Bolivia's main city, La Paz.

They say they cannot guarantee the safety of passengers.

Four people died during the weekend after clashes with Bolivian authorities.

Local politician Rosa Gonzalez has demanded greater protection for Chileans in Bolivia.

Access to ports

At the heart of the dispute is social unrest over planned natural gas exports to the United States.

Landlocked Bolivia will almost certainly have to rely on Chilean ports to export its gas.

Many Bolivians are angry with this proposal as the ports belonged to Bolivia until a war in 1879 with Chile.

They would prefer the gas went through Peru even though it is further away.

Chilean President Ricardo Lagos said his nation was ready and willing to offer its port facilities.

Foreign investors have already pumped about $2.5bn into Bolivian gas projects.