January 23, 2000
Web posted at: 9:18 p.m. EST (0218 GMT)

In this story: 'Who are we to judge the people of Ecuador?' All sides urged to work together Tensions still under the surface Warning from Indian leader RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

QUITO, Ecuador -- Cautious support for the new government of Ecuador was given by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, just before Ecuador's new civilian president, Gustavo Noboa, entered Government Palace to begin work on Sunday.

At the same time, Arturo Valenzuela, U.S. President Bill Clinton's Latin America adviser, told Argentina's Clarin newspaper that the military coup in Ecuador did not signal a resurgence of junta rule in the region.

Chavez's endorsement came after the U.S. State Department on Saturday evening expressed its support but warned that it was still "watching closely" to ensure the country's constitution is upheld during the transition of power.

Chavez, a former army coup leader, welcomed the fact that Ecuadorians "found a peaceful outcome" to the popular rebellion that led to President Jamil Mahuad's overthrow on Saturday.

"We cannot condemn people when they take to the streets," he said, stressing that Venezuela's position was one of "respect and noninterference in internal matters."

"I saw 25,000 Indians asking for their rights. I saw military units supporting them," Chavez added. "Who are we to judge the people of Ecuador? We asked for a peaceful and democratic solution and, thank God, that's what happened."

Valenzuela, calling the circumstances leading to the change a "constitutional crisis," said the region still had a long way to go to full democracy.

"For example, Argentina's democracy is still very young...(but) is much more ahead in this than countries like Paraguay or Ecuador, for example. And that's not to mention Haiti or countries like Venezuela or Peru, where there were significant reversals of the constitution."

Valenzuela added: "Ecuador's example shows how fragile the region's democracies are. However, I do not believe this is a return to coups d'etat in the traditional sense, when military juntas seized power by force to impose repressive regimes that systematically violated human rights.

"Obviously this is not a normal situation from a constitutional point of view. That a president appears on television to say he's been ousted is not normal. But at the same time President Jamil Mahuad said he would not oppose Noboa assuming the presidency."

A day of governmental disarray

Angry at Mahuad's inability to stop Ecuador's economic slide, hundreds of Indian protesters, led by Antonio Vargas, stormed the empty Congress building Friday. They and young army officers unhappy with widespread corruption announced the creation of a new government, including a "Parliament of the People" and a three-man governing junta.

Mahuad fled into hiding. Defense Secretary and top military chief Gen. Carlos Mendoza took a seat in the junta but then quickly dissolved it, ceding power to Noboa.

Saturday, many Indian protesters were leaving the capital and expressing disappointment with Noboa, the breakup of the junta and a lack of military support.

"Among the generals there was betrayal," said Indian leader Euclides Collauasi. "They have betrayed us."

U.S. Department of State deputy spokesman James B. Foley had praise for Mahuad's handling of the crisis.

"While we regret the circumstances that led President Mahuad to call for public support for a Noboa presidency, his statement is a magnanimous gesture to pave the way to restore the country to constitutional order."

"The United States calls on all parties to continue to work together to address the severe economic and social challenges which played a central role on bringing about the current crisis and that Ecuador will continue to face."

The day after the ousting of Mahuad, vendors returned to squat in the presidential palace's shadows, hawking freshly cut roses as they do every day of the week.

But army troops are in the shadows as well. They have laid strips of concertina wire to block access to the seat of power.

While a semblance of normality may be returning to Quito, Ecuador's capital, the political tensions that sparked the military coup are still under the surface.

The thousands of indigenous Indians who marched on the palace demanding Mahuad's resignation are heading back to their mountain communities. But they say their fight is far from over.

They say things will not change because Noboa has said he would maintain current economic policies, those that critics say have led to a 60 percent inflation rate and a precipitous crash in the value of the country's currency.

"We are going to continue fighting. We may return to march in Quito, and we could be a lot more hard-line when we mobilize," Antonio Vargas, the Indian leader who led the protests, told Reuters by telephone from a hiding place outside Quito.

One piece of graffiti in the city reads, "Mahuad has left, what next?"

That is the question being asked by many, including military leaders, who have shown they are interested enough in the country's political situation to take direct action -- and who presumably would not hesitate to do so again if they felt it necessary.

Noboa, whose motto for these times is "Peace, progress and justice," appointed six ministers on Sunday to minor posts but left the key portfolios of energy and finance empty. He is due to name these ministers by Tuesday.

Mexico City Bureau Chief Harris Whitbeck and Reuters contributed to this report.

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