Ecuador Grants Amnesty In Coup

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) - Congress has granted amnesty to participants in January's military-backed Indian uprising that toppled President Jamil Mahuad.

But the move, approved late Wednesday by 90 of the 123 congressmen, only covers criminal prosecution in civilian courts.

The military is still pursuing its own charges against 113 of its members, most of them colonels, who joined hundreds of Indians on Jan. 21 in a takeover of the Congress building and proclaimed a short-lived junta.

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The insurrection led to Mahuad's ouster. He was replaced by his vice president, Gustavo Noboa, who on April 12 asked congress to grant the amnesty.

Noboa told reporters Thursday that the ``amnesty is important, but we must continue the dialogue with all social groups in the country so that all understand that peace brings progress.''

Asked about the fate of the officers still facing possible court martials, Noboa said, ``That is in the hands of the military courts. I respect each jurisdiction, just as I would like them to respect me.''

Last month, Noboa accepted the resignation of three members of the military high command, which made no attempt to put down the uprising.

Military tribunals are trying 17 officers for their part in Mahuad's unconstitutional overthrow.