722.2315/2704a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Ecuador (Long)43
406. The Governments of Argentina, of Brazil and of the United States are in accord that it is in the highest degree essential that the means for a pacific solution of the Ecuador–Peru boundary dispute be found if at all possible prior to the Consultative Meeting to be held in Rio de Janeiro on January 15th. Under existing world conditions, the gravity of which is daily increasing, the unity of the American Republics is more than ever necessary and such unity can necessarily not be assured so long as the present controversy between Peru and Ecuador continues. The dangers of such continuation are apparent to public opinion throughout the continent.
In their earnest desire to be of service in bringing about an equitable and satisfactory basis for successful negotiations between Ecuador and Peru which would lead to a friendly and permanent settlement of the boundary controversy, the three Governments are therefore jointly proposing simultaneously to the Governments of Ecuador and of Peru that the two Governments accept as a basis for the negotiation of a permanent and definitive boundary settlement between them the status quo line of 1936.
The three Governments further propose that should the two Governments accept the basis of negotiation thus advanced, the forces of Peru be withdrawn back of the 1936 status quo line, and that the negotiations for a final settlement take place as originally proposed at Buenos Aires.
You are authorized to present this proposal jointly to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the company of your Argentine and Brazilian colleagues as soon as they have received similar instructions.
Please cable the Department urgently as soon as the date and hour for your reception by the Foreign Minister has been arranged in order that the three mediatory Governments may at that time communicate to the governments of all of the other American Republics the proposal thus advanced to the Governments of Ecuador and Peru. It is desired that you arrange by telegram with your colleagues in Lima so that your reception by the Foreign Minister in each case may be on the same day and the same hour.
- The same, mutatis mutandis, to the Ambassador in Peru as No. 547.↩