MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile and Peru agree to “2 plus 2” talks in April

Chile and Peru Foreign Affairs ministers Ignacio Walker and Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros announced in Morocco that the “two plus two” mechanism of bilateral meetings will take place next April 21 when the alleged sale of weapons by Chile to Ecuador in 1995 will be addressed.

The "two plus two" involves the Foreign Affairs and Defence ministers of both countries and in this case will be anticipated by a meeting of the military high commands of Chile and Peru.

Both ministers took advantage of their presence in Morocco to talk about controversial claims from a former Ecuadorian general, currently at large, who said that Chile helped Ecuador with weapons during the armed conflict between Peru and Ecuador over a long disputed jungle border area.

Mr. Walker and Mr. Rodriguez Cuadros are currently in Morocco for a ministerial meeting preparatory of the first summit of 34 Arab countries leaders and South American presidents scheduled in Brasilia next 10/11 May.

"Ecuadorian General Bayas statements could be false or have some element of truth", but it's important that all information referred to that incident "be addressed adequately enabling the strengthening of bilateral relations", said Mr. Rodriguez Cuadros.

"The spirit with which we're addressing the problem is that defined by Presidents Toledo and Lagos, meaning that overall bilateral relations are very good and signalled by the dynamics of cooperation and dialogue". "I'm convinced that the two plus two talks and the chiefs of staffs meeting will enable us to overcome the controversy and channel our relations in the best possible way, as has always been the case", stressed Chilean Foreign Secretary Walker.

"Our talks have been very frank and very friendly and we are looking forward to April 21 when we hope to definitively sort things out", indicated Mr. Walker adding that the incident "is not only a peak of tension but basically a strengthening of the permanent dialogue willingness from both sides regarding this or any other issue".

Following former General Bayas statements, which were later denied by Ecuador and Chile, Peru called the War cabinet and temporarily froze bilateral military cooperation and confidence building actions with Santiago.

The decision, followed up by President Ricardo Lagos administration, meant the reciprocal suspension of Navy and Army commanders in chief respective visits to Chile and Peru, plus cancelling the Chilean Naval School tall mast "Esmeralda" call in El Callao, all scheduled for this week.