Ecuador General Honored After Coup

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) - President Gustavo Noboa on Friday decorated the general who toppled the former chief executive during a coup last month.

Former armed forces chief Gen. Carlos Mendoza received the medal of ``professional excellence.''

Mendoza forced President Jamil Mahuad from power on Jan. 21 after hundreds of Indians, supported by a cadre of young army officers, seized Congress and proclaimed a ``Parliament of the People'' to fight corruption and end poverty.

He briefly took a place in the junta before turning power over to Noboa, the vice president, under pressure from the U.S. State Department and at least 20 regional commanders under his command who opposed the overthrow of civilian rule.

Mendoza, who resigned his post, said later that he agreed to join the coup as a stall tactic until democratic order could be restored.

Ecuador's high military tribunal is considering whether to investigate Mendoza and dozens of other officers for possible court martials for their part in Mahuad's illegal ouster.