MEDIA REACTION: ECUADORIAN RELATIONS WITH

UNCLAS QUITO 001778 SIPDIS STATE FOR INR/R/MR, WHA, WHA/AND, WHA/PDA DIRONDCP FOR PA EMBASSIES FOR PAO/IO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OPRC KIRC KPAO EC SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: ECUADORIAN RELATIONS WITH VENEZUELA; TERRORISM ¶1. "Third Party's Policies," a column (07/28) by Rodrigo Fierro in Guayaquil's (and Ecuador's) leading center-right "El Universo" (circ. 140,000) Quote: ". . . the defense of our interests is taking us closer to the policies of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. . .The search for new alternatives shows even more clearly how our stagnant underdevelopment is sinking us, and that great endeavors such as the Free Trade Agreement, fostered as they are by a savage capitalism, will be our downfall." ¶2. "Fight against Terrorism," a column (07/24) by Julio Prado Vallejo in Guayaquil's centrist "Expreso" (circ. 28,000) Quote: "We have to fight against the scourge of terrorism, strengthening our political will, directing aid towards the strengthening of institutional capacities. Regrettably, situations such as the ones created by the war in Iraq have increased terrorism in the Middle East, where, under the pretext of fighting against foreign troops, a satanic terrorism is being used against civilians and military. . .That is why it is even more important that the United Nations ratify and enact the instruments needed to fight against terrorism. "This is a job that corresponds to every authority and democratic political party either in the government or in the opposition, because terrorist violence is incompatible with democratic policies and societies. . . MEMMOTT