Peru Cancels Talks With Chile Over Espionage Dispute

Peru has canceled planned talks with Chile at an Asia-Pacific summit and is leaving the meeting a day early over an espionage dispute.

Peru's foreign minister, Jose Garcia Belaunde, says President Alan Garcia is leaving the meeting in Singapore, following the recall of Peru's envoy to Chile over charges a Peruvian military officer has been spying for Chile.

Mr. Garcia and his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet had been scheduled to meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Peruvian officials say they are returning to Lima to investigate the charges against the air force officer who was arrested several days ago.

The neighboring South American countries maintain close trade ties, but have a long-standing maritime border dispute.


Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.