Peru, Ecuador Agree To Cease-Fire In Border War; U.S. Offers To Help

Negotiators for Peru and Ecuador agreed Friday to a cease-fire in a disputed section of remote jungle, and the United States offered to monitor its enforcement.

The deal, worked out in talks in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, required approval by the presidents of the two Andean nations.

Peru and Ecuador have been fighting for eight days over a 50-mile stretch of unmarked border in a region with gold, uranium and possible oil deposits.

The two countries fought a 1941 war over the area 220 miles southeast of Quito and 530 miles north of Lima, the Peruvian capital, and it has been the site of frequent disputes since.

“We reached an accord that was approved by everyone,” Brazilian Foreign Minister Sebastiao do Rego Barros said in Rio following talks that included representatives of Brazil, Chile, Argentina and the United States.

Details of the cease-fire agreement were not released.