Ecuador rebuts allegation of links with FARC

Ecuador rebuts allegation of links with FARC


www.chinaview.cn 2008-05-03 09:59:16

QUITO, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador on Friday rejected the remarks of a U.S. official alleging links between Quito and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Dell L. Dailey, coordinator of the U.S. Office for Counter-terrorism, alleged earlier this week that links exist between Quito and FARC because the rebel group's spokesman, Raul Reyes, was killed in Ecuador during a cross-border Colombian raid on March 1.

The Ecuadorian government "regrets and rejects the intervention of Dailey in Ecuadorian internal affairs, as well as his prepotency that Ecuadorian security policy should be adjusted to the pleasure of a foreign country," a Foreign Ministry communique said.

Dailey's remarks only reveal his lack of knowledge about the real situation, the ministry said, adding that it considers his comments to be an expression of personal opinion, which do not represent the position of the U.S. government.

The fact that rebel groups like FARC have entered Ecuadorian territory does not prove that they have connections with the country's government; on the contrary, it is evidence of the Colombian government's inability to keep the conflict within its borders, the communique added.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/03/content_8094745.htm



Dell L. Dailey
Apparently he IS as stupid as he looks.

Ecuador military plans to buy 24 Brazilian fighter planes

The Associated Press
Friday, May 2, 2008

QUITO, Ecuador: Ecuador's Air Force chief says the country plans to purchase 24 Brazilian Super Tucano fighter planes to help bolster its military strength on the border with Colombia.

President Rafael Correa has said Ecuador needs the reinforcements since Colombia's March 1 cross-border military raid on a rebel camp.

Gen. Rodrigo Bohorquez says the planes will cost up to US$300 million (€194 million).

Bohorquez said Friday that the purchase will be made within the next two months, and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer SA will deliver the planes within a year.

Correa, who cut off diplomatic ties with Colombia following the raid, said in April that Ecuador would modernize its aging air force to enforce its border.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/02/america/LA-GEN-Ecuador-Military-Purchase.php