90. Telegram 447 to Quito and 553 to Lima, February 251

[Facsimile Page 1]

REF: LIMA’s 537, QUITO’s 432.

FYI Dept shares Embassies’ concern over indications possible arms race between Ecuador and Peru. Ecuador reportedly investigating procurement fighter aircraft, medium tanks, heavy bombs, anti-tank missiles, and torpedo boats from England; automatic small arms from Belgium, Holland, Israel and Czechoslovakia; fighter planes from France; Mortars, anti-tank weapons, land mines from Italy; in addition substantial number recoilless rifles, jeeps and helicopters from US. On other hand, Peruvians threatening outdo any purchases Ecuador makes. End FYI.

If no objection perceived, Embassy Quito requested approach appropriate GOE officials and without mentioning our sources information express our concern over numerous recent reports Ecuadorean negotiations purchase arms in Europe.

Embassy Lima requested in its discretion approach appropriate GOP officials to state that we have no confirmation report in reftel and we urge GOP not use such report, even if true, as rationale for increasing own arms purchase, especially since Peru’s present Armed Forces far [Facsimile Page 2] outweigh present [illegible in the original] Ecuadorean forces.

In [illegible in the original] emphasize [illegible in the original] ability arms race from point of view has [illegible in the original] and expenditure resources to [illegible in the original] and economic programs, and point out arms race usually harmful [illegible in the original] if one side pulls ahead, other follows, [illegible in the original] leaving relative positions unchanged. Also explained [illegible in the original] that aggression and remind both Governments of statement by [illegible in the original] spokesman on December 13 making clear that US would honor its [illegible in the original] which calls for individual or collective action in event of situation of aggression as defined in Treaty.

Rusk
  1. U.S. concerns over possible arms race between Ecuador and Peru. Confidential. 2 pp. DOS, CF, 722.58/2–2161.