1995 Ecuador-Peru Border War

Peru and Ecuador have a long-running border dispute which arose shortly 
after their independence in the 1810s.  This resulted in open war in 
1941, with a peace brokered by the U.S., Argentina, and Brazil, and an 
agreement named the Protocol Of Rio.  

However, Ecuador still disputes an area around the Cenepa river, 
roughly from 4 to 5 degrees south latitude, and from 77 to 78 degrees 
west longitude. This is rugged terrain called the Cordillera Del 
Condor, part of the Andes.

On February 27, 1995, another border dispute broke out.  The conflict 
was confined to army skirmishes in the rugged terrain in dispute, but 
several aircraft were downed by both sides.  Eventually the fighting
ceased, and peace negotiations have continued to this date (October 
1997).

This scenario postulates what the naval actions might have been had the
war continued.  Unfortunately, since South America is not mapped in 
Harpoon 97, this means the scenario has to be set on another coast.

The main feature of the Ecuadorian and northern Peruvian coast is the 
Gulf of Guayaquil, in Ecuador near its southern border.  This is also
the main Ecuadorian naval base.  It is probably at risk of a blockade
in a real naval war.  

As a result, the scenario was placed on the west coast of India, with 
the Gulf Of Khambat filling in for Guayaquil.  Goa will fill the 
role of Lima, and Talhar the role of Quito.  The main geographical
features lacking are Punta Negra and Punta Parinas, which project 
about fifty miles west further than the Indian coastline.  

The choices of Red (Peru) and Blue (Ecuador) are completely arbitrary.
However, the placement of Red and Blue bases in the IOPG battleset 
led to the current assignment.  This also led to some compromises
in defining the forces for each, and these are explained in two
separate files, ECUADOR.TXT and PERU.TXT.

The scenario opens a few days after the war begins.  All forward air
bases for both sides have suffered extensive attacks.  The majority 
of both air forces are still assigned to the air war and CAS, but a 
few units are available for naval support.

Finally, a personal observation.  Why anyone in their right mind
would fight a war over this God-forsaken stretch of land is 
completely beyond me.  Unlike wars for survival, or significant
national interest, this is a war over competing national pride.
Let us all pray for peace.

Note: This is my first attempt at creating a scenario.  You may
find it easier to read the orders files with Windows Notepad for
better formatting.




