US Occupation of Ecuadorian Military Base CriticizedA former Ecuadoran military man condemned Monday Ecuador's government decision that aided the United States to occupy Manta Air Base.Colonel Lucio Gutierrez, leader of the military uprising on January 21, said Ecuador doesn't obtain any benefit from the accord signed with the United States and, on the contrary, could have unpredictable consequences. Ecuadorians don't obtain any benefits from this covenant but the tens of thousands displaced from Colombia who'll pass the border, said the retired colonel. On 12 November 1999, Ecuador's government signed with the United States an accord to concede the use of Manta Air Base, situated on this country's northwest coast. As Ecuador's Foreign Ministry reported, the accord to last 10 years will have clear objectives like carrying air operations for detention, monitoring, tracking and controlling of illegal air drug-traffic. |
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