ARGENTINE URUGUAY PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP08C01297R000800080030-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 23, 2012
• Sequence Number: 30
• Publication Date: July 5, 1944
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/07/31?. CIA-RDP08001297R000800080030-5
yv
RESTRICTEDREST
15
ISSUED BY THE DITELLIGENCE DIVISION
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
NAVY DEPARTMENT
INTELLIGINCE REPORT
Serial 479-44
Monograph Index Guide No. 601,-100
From NA Buenos Aires at Argentine Date 5 July 1944
Source Publications
Evaluation B-2
Subject Argentine Uruguay
Physical Geography
The question of jurisdiction over the waters of the River Plate \
has never been decided.
Rather exhaustive studies on this subject reveal the following'
The outer limit of the River Plate is variously considered to
be either;
(a) A line drawn from Cabo San Antonio in Argentina to Punto del Fete
in Uruguay, or
(b) A line drawn from Cabo Si Antonio in Argentina to Cate Santa
Maria; in Uruguay, or
(c) A line drawn parallel to (b) at a distance of 5 or 12 miles to
seaward.
Of these views (a) is favored by Grailuay and (b) or (c) by?
Argentina. The (a) line is 222 kilometers in length and the (b) line;
297 kilometers, with the result that the Middle point on the Cb) or
(c) line wo4d be much nearer the Uruguayan coast than the middle point
on the (a) line.
Uruguay claims that her jurisdiction extends to the geographical
middle of the river using the middle point of the (a) line, above as the
beginning point. In the alternative, Uruguay asserts that if the geo-
graphical,middle is not used, the Thalweg line, or line of deepest depth
of the river, Should be used. This line vacillates back and forth across
the geographical middle, being north of it opposite Montevideo, south of
it from Montevideo to Colonies and North of it opposite Buenos Aires.
RD7Ecas Tniu
Argentina claims sovereignty over the river up to a line 5 miles.
(sometimes considered 3 miles) from the coast of Uruguay. If the geographi-
cal middle line should be used; Argentina claim that it begins at the
middle point on the outer-limit lines (b) or (0, above, which, as indicated,
would place the geographical middle line at its seaward approach north of
the geographical middle line contended for by Uruguay.
The main ship channel leading to Buenos Aires is partly on the
Uruguay half. of the river. However it is dredged, and buoyed by the
Argentine Government who claim and maintain sole control over it. None
but Argentine tugs, for instance, are permitted (except with permission
of the Argentine Government) to operate there.
I have been unable to find any International Law decision on the
subject of jurisdiction over these specific waters.
Attempts
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/07/31: CIA-RDPO8001297R000800080030-5
11.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/07/31 : CIA-RDP08001297R000800080030-5
? 2 ?
Attempts have been made in the past (a convention was held in
1(389) to settle the matter by agreemert, between Argentina and Uruguay,
but no agreements have ever been made as far as can be ascertained.
This information is furnished for such value as it may have
if the question should arise in connection with extra pay for merchant
seamen, accidents in the channel, etc.
RESTRICTED RESTRICTED
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/07/31: CIA-RDPO8001297R000800080030-5
/7
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/07/31: CIA-RDPO8001297R000800080030-5
Ldoe7C4,6 44,4.441
4.6te
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/07/31: CIA-RDPO8001297R000800080030-5
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/07/31
CIA-RDPO8C01297R000800080030-5 -"?-?
r\kj_ f.4)3
LA.
114?AZ Kr
gt'?J+0
kci
Y\A
a.A)--0--4---
vvate-y\A)Ii
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/07/31 :
CIA-RDPO8C01297R000800080030-5
.,ell_a_4>e