722.2315/2541: Telegram
The Ambassador in Peru (Norweb) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:25 p.m.]
610. Department’s telegram No. 457, November 13, 9 p.m.38 My Argentine and Brazilian colleagues and I have been working for the past few days on the question of the return of prisoners. We are now confident of successful results next week, which will create a more favorable atmosphere for the next step.
My conversation with the President on November 9 gave an opportunity to discuss the boundary dispute. My strictly confidential despatch number 2155 of November 1138 went forward in the air mail pouch from Lima on November 12. In general, it appears that Peru would be satisfied with the Zarumilla River–Chinchipe River line in the west, but does not agree to take the 1936 status quo line as the basis of negotiations because of substantial modifications, that Peru feels it must insist upon in the Oriente.
The President believes that the three friendly Governments should ascertain Ecuadoran views in order to determine what the next step can be. Subsequent to the negative information contained in my despatch number 2104 November 5,38 the question has been reopened with the Ecuadoran Minister in Lima and he has promised to try to obtain informally for us the views of his Government. Our difficulty here is to persuade Peru to accept the 1936 line as the basis for negotiations. My colleagues and I feel that it is only upon this basis [Page 240] that it will be possible for us to work toward a settlement which will not be affected by the occupation of territory resulting from recent hostilities.
My Brazilian colleague has requested his Foreign Minister when the latter returns from Santiago to Rio de Janeiro to talk with Ambassador Benavides in Buenos Aires about the desirability and importance of accepting the 1936 line as a basis for exploratory conversations. My Argentine colleague is going to suggest to his Foreign Minister that the latter take similar action.