OAS rejection of Colombian incursion is satisfactory to Ecuador

Relations renewal depends on bringing media-campaign to a close according to officials

Atfer the OAS (Organization of American States) emitted a resolution rejecting the Colombian military incursion which took place on Ecuadorian territory March 1st. the government of Ecuador considered the diplomatic crisis as "over and done with".

President Rafael Correa appeared satisfied with that entity's decision which welcomed "all of Ecuador's aspirations".

The President, at a ceremony yesterday at the Carondelet Palace, did not to term the resolution as a victory for Ecuador, because, he stressed, in any incident related to armed aggression "everybody comes out losing",

Nevertheless, he highlighted certain aspects and implications in reference to the decision which was adopted in the early morning hours of this Tuesday. "With it the total validity of international law is ratified... the inviolability of states' territory, sovereignty inviolability and what is more, unconditional apologies from Colombia are registered as well their committment to never again be guilty of aggression.

One of the more positive aspects of Ecuador's strategy for him, is that since then a new era in Latinamerican diplomacy was ushered in.

It´s not like before, when the strongest prevailed. Here, principles of Latinamerican countries have been upheld as well as those of other OAS members who acted independantly without submission to pressure and according to truth ,justice and international Law", he said.

Insomuch as the reestablisment of diplomatic relations with Colombia, Correa said nothing, just a reiteration of his Government´s predisposition to support, if so required, the search for a peaceful solution to the conflict which affects our neighboring country.

Vinicio Alvarado, Administration and Comunications Secretary did refer to the reestablishment of bi-lateral relations.

He insisted this was President Correa´s decision even though he insinuated that Ecuador will reestablish relations with Colombia only when it is assured that the media-slander campaign has creased. "we must be attentive and observant since hugging and insulting on the other hand can no co-exist. We will calmly sit back and observe.

Meanwhile, Chancellor-in-charge Eduardo Egas declared that reestablishment of relations with Colombia will only occur after a thorough evaluation, of our neighboring country´s concrete actions, by the Ecuadorian Government.

One of these would be compensation requested by Ecuador for expenses incurred during the Colombian Military incursion into Ecuadorian territory including medical attention for all three wounded. "Money is always needed" remarked Egas.

Furthermore, he added the media campaign unleashed from the neighboring country should also be a part of this evaluation.

The Chancellory remitted a note of protest, on Monday, before the OAS Secretariat due to publication of a photograph in El tiempo Newspaper from Bogota, showing a mistaken image of Minister Gustavo Larrea in a meeting with deceased FARC leader, Raúl Reyes.

At the Chancellory it was reported that a direct protest can not be directed towards the Colombian newspaper because the Ecuadorian embassy in Bogota is closed and hypothetical claim would have to come from Larrea himself.

Egas suggested a change in coordinating officers in armed forces of both sides, after Combifroms´s dismal failure and confimed that, up until yesterday the Colombian regime had not sent supposed evidence linking president Correa´s Government with the FARC.

"We consider this tremendous crisis as over, finished... and based on the truth and principles, it has shown that a small but noble and righteous country can uphold and defend its rights".