Spanish literature prize goes to Peruvian novelist

Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa was awarded Monday the 1994 Cervantes prize for literature, Spain's highest literary award, the jury announced.

The award recognized the decisive significance of Mr. Vargas Llosa's work, the announcement said.

Vargas Llosa began his writing career in 1959 with a volume of short stories entitled ``Los Jefes '' (The Bosses) but it was his 1963 novel ``La Ciudad y Los Perros '' (The City and the Dogs), a biting indictment of life in a military academy, that made his name. In 1993 he published ``The Fish in the Water,'' memoirs recounting his experience as a presidential candidate.

Vargas Llosa, who ran unsuccessfully for the Peruvian presidency in 1990 against current President Alberto Fujimori, became a Spanish citizen in 1993 but retains his Peruvian nationality.