Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Talks

Peru’s foreign minister resigned as Lima was negotiating final details of a peace accord with Ecuador over the Andean neighbors’ disputed border. Eduardo Ferrero, who has headed drawn-out talks with Ecuador to end 50 years of frequent border clashes, said his resignation was “irrevocable.” The minister, who held the post since July 1997, declined to explain his decision. In recent months, he became sidelined from the negotiations after presidents Alberto Fujimori of Peru and Jamil Mahuad of Ecuador held face-to-face discussions, analysts said.