|
Ecuador, Colombia Move Closer to Ending Border Rift
Colombia and Ecuador moved closer to settling a dispute stemming from Colombia's cross-border military incursion to kill a rebel leader last week. Colombia avoided condemnation of its raid in an accord with neighboring Ecuador approved by the Organization of American States. The agreement sets a framework for an investigation into the incident. ``Ecuador is a nation of peace that rejects violence from wherever it comes,'' said Maria Isabel Salvador, Ecuador's foreign minister. ``This accord guarantees that no country again violates our sovereignty.'' The deal calls for OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza to form a panel to probe the incident and convene a meeting of foreign ministers to consider the results. It may help lower tension in the region, and comes as Venezuelan tanks are moving to the Colombian border on orders from President Hugo Chavez, who said Colombia's March 1 strike risks a war. Venezuela activated the country's navy and air force in addition to the 10 tank battalions. Chavez has pledged to support Ecuador's President Rafael Correa, who has also added troops on the border after the Colombian raid killed the second- in-command of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. Chavez, a socialist who blames the U.S. ``empire'' for Colombia's attack, today said Venezuela is a ``peaceful'' country and isn't seeking a war. An expanded military presence along the border -- already rife with paramilitary, drug trafficking and rebel activity -- raises tensions to a level that a miscalculation could trigger a military clash. Posted by: Fred 2008-03-06 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=232102 |