Tuna Boats Arrested In 200-Miles Limit

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30146, 1 June 1963, Page 11

Tuna Boats Arrested In 200-Miles Limit

(IV 2.P.A -Reuter—Copyright;

WASHINGTON, May 30.

Ecuador is accusing two American boats of poaching in territorial waters. The Ecuadoreans claim a 2(M)-miles off-shore limit, but in common with most Western nations, the United States recognises only a three-miles limit.

The two arrested boats, the White Star and the Ranger, are in Salinas under guard. Eighteen other United States fishing vessels continued a passive protest against the seizure by following them into harbour, where they have all dropped anchor.

The home port of the tuna boats is San Diego. California The Ecuadorean Government has “politely” turned down a United States State Department request for the release of the fishing boats de-

tained by the Ecuadorean Navy.

The Secretary of State, Mr Dean Rusk, made the request in a personal telephone call and a cabled message yesterday to Ecuador’s Foreign Minister, Mr Benjamin Peralta

Mr Rusk said a friendly solution to the dispute would be inhibited if there was violence.

He strongly urged the immediate release of the boats which were detained by Ecuadorean warships last week-end.

Mr Rusk suggested the two governments should resolve the issue either through highlevel diplomatic discussion!or by adjudication before an appropriate international authority Officials said the Ecuadorean Government in a message to the State Department had declined to release the boats