DATE=8/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=US -ECUADOR-COLOMBIA RELATIONS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265640
BYLINE=RALPH KURTENBACK
DATELINE=QUITO
CONTENT=
INTRO: U-S Secretary of State Madeline Albright and
leaders of the South American nation of Ecuador signed
a deal for Washington to donate 26 million dollars
worth of grains to Ecuador. We have this report from
Ralph Kurtenbach.
TEXT: Ms. Albright says the U-S donation through
Ecuador's World Food Program will in turn help to
finance its social programs.
/// Albright act ///
The funds generated -- as has been explained --
will be used primarily to improve nutrition for
children and pregnant and nursing women and we
hope to help as many as one million people
through this donation.
/// End act ///
Speaking to journalists in Quito Friday, Ms. Albright
fielded questions on the threat of spillover violence
from Ecuador's northern neighbor Colombia, where the
U-S is investing one-point-three billion dollars in
the war on drugs under the so-called "Plan Colombia."
She says Ecuador's concerns have been taken into
account by the U-S, which is appropriating funds to
meet that eventuality.
// ALBRIGHT act TWO ///
We have provided additional money to Ecuador as
a result, we are providing 20 million dollars in
aid under "Plan Colombia" and we are looking for
additional assistance to help on the northern
border.
/// end act ///
Ms Albright says funds are also available to help
displaced people fleeing Colombia's violence.
/// Rest opt ///
Earlier this week in Argentina, Ms. Albright met with
the human rights group, "Grand mothers of the Plaza de
Mayo" whose children disappeared during the Argentine
dictatorship of 1976 through 1983.
After the meeting, the U-S State Department promised
to do its best to release secret documents from U S
archives. A senior U-S official says the Argentine
group's particular interest was in children taken from
imprisoned women and allegedly adopted into military
officers' families.
Ecuardo is Ms. Albright last stop of her five nations
tour in South America. (Signed)
NEB/PT
18-Aug-2000 22:35 PM EDT (19-Aug-2000 0235 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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