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Ecuador tells US to leave its military air base
Published in Saudi Press Agency on 30 - 07 - 2008

Ecuador has formally notified the United States that
it must vacate a base used to combat drug trafficking when the lease
expires next year, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, according to dpa.
Ecuadorian officials informed the US embassy of the plans, which
have long been a pledge by President Rafael Correa despite objections
from surrounding residents financially reliant on the Manta base.
The US and Ecuador signed a 10-year agreement in November 1999,
which expires in August 2009, to establish the base in Manta for
counter-narcotics operations. About 300 US soldiers are stationed
there.
Ecuador is set to hold a referendum on a new constitution
September 28 that does not allow for the presence of foreign bases in
the country.
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters in
Washington the United States accepts Correa's decision but warned an
absence of the base would leave a "serious gap" in efforts to
intercept drug shipments.
"The decision to close the forward-operating location is a
sovereign one by the government of Ecuador," McCormack said. "We
note, however, that the closure will leave a serious gap in efforts
by the United States and our partners to confront illegal drug
trafficking throughout the region."
There has been speculation the US will ask another country to host
a base. Among the countries named are Colombia or Panama. McCormack
would not comment on alternative plans.


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