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A Special International Report Prepared by
The Washington Times Advertising Department - Published on April 21, 1999
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Foreign Ministry promotes Ecuador to the international community
"The Ministry wants to promote the new, realistic image of Ecuador by promoting an internal dialogue among all sectors of society. Once we respect each other, we can promote ourselves internationally," explains Ambassador Ayala. However, he understands that the time to act is now. "This small country can recuperate its role, but we must act in order to gain international recognition." Ayala has a history of promoting human rights, both while working at the United Nations and now within Ecuador. He has coordinated with non-governmental organizations to create a national plan that supports human rights. "We were violators, though there were never dramatic cases," he begins. "We believe in democracy and respect human rights. We need to project this image abroad." The relationship between the United States and Ecuador has been strong, but it has been strained in recent months as Ecuador struggled to create a new economic plan that created confidence among the United States and multinational institutions. "We view our relationship with the United States as one that involves a lot of cooperation, but we ask for more cooperation and understanding," he says. "We hope for more expressions of international solidarity." On the night of Mahuad's announcement of his new economic plan, the government received this support. James Rubin, the United States’ Department of State's spokesman counseled that "it is time to look for consensus to solve the difficult situation in which Ecuador is living." President Clinton also sent a letter of support to President Mahuad.
Carrion sees the new millennium as a time for a new image and new motivation. "After a long period of instability, it is time to create a new, serious international image for Ecuador," he says. "We have entered a crucial point in the history of Ecuador. Before, the war took up our creative time. We have been liberated from this weight." At the top of the agenda is the promotion of projects in the frontier area with Peru. In order to consolidate peace, people must be satisfied with it and see that there is much to gain despite a large loss of territory. This is a vital component in maintaining peace. "We need investment in this region so that people get real benefits from the peace. Indigenous and marginalized groups can benefit from the creation of social and commercial exchanges." The Banco del Estado and multinational institutions are working with the Foreign Ministry in the development of frontier projects. Sebastian Zuquilonda, who is working on the integration with Peru, says that 150 projects have actually been designated. The first projects began in March and include the planned opening of crossroads into Peru. Zuquilonda explains that each border entrance will require banks, commercial establishments, military support and social interaction. The peace with Peru has been the one thing that has the whole country in agreement. All levels of society were tired of war and were ready for peace. The fact that this was a negotiated peace and not one forced upon them by war also helps. Despite the lack of consensus in other areas of economy, the Foreign Ministry is fortunate to have business and social cooperation in order to focus on how to develop this region. With the private and public sectors working together, along with assistance from the guarantor nations and donations from multinational institutions, Ecuador will keep on consolidating peace and receiving the resulting economic, social and political gains. |
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Table of Contents (1) President Mahuad announces new economic plan |
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The Foreign Ministry has traditionally been an executor of international agreements and the facilitator of cooperative arrangements. However the chancellery, under President Mahuad, has many more challenges. It must strengthen the position of Ecuador regionally, hemispherically and internationally. At the same time, Foreign Minister Jose Ayala Lasso wants to "recuperate the good image of Ecuador that has been lost and re-establish the country firmly in the international community."
The Ministry is focusing on consolidating peace and the opportunities that come from it. "We have entered a new historic stage," promises Ambassador Francisco Carrion, Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry. "We have ended our territorial problems with Peru - problems that have existed since our independence - and we now have many other resources that can go to other tasks."