We don't have to erase years of anxiety over this region. What we have to do is persuade both nations that their national security concerns are better served by a process of peace engagement than by preparation for war. For Peruvian Capt. Pedro Castillo, the issue boils down to economics. It's a very debilitating scenario.
War means poverty.
The task force's job is to coordinate operational, logistical, communications and administrative support to the observer mission. Until recently, the observer teams included a U.S. special forces captain and NCO and an officer from one of the other three guarantor nations. A new change now includes a Peruvian and Ecuadorian officer as part of the observer mission. The teams fly out via Black Hawk helicopter to one of two remote outposts, the Ecuadorian's at Coangos or the Peruvian s at PV-1. They spend three days to a week at an outpost, said Capt.