810.20 Defense/1373
Memorandum by the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan) to the Under Secretary of State (Welles)
Mr. Welles: The Ambassador of Ecuador has inquired whether, now that hostilities have ceased with Peru, this Government is prepared to go ahead with the negotiation of the lend-lease agreement.
My recommendation is that we defer negotiating the basic agreement until such time as the retirement from the status quo line has been effected and control measures instituted to assure the continued separation of the forces of the two countries. No objection is perceived, however, to either Peru or Ecuador proceeding to present their lists of matériel desired under the lend-lease authorizations.