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Ecuador to End US Military
Presence
Ecuador reiterated on Monday it
has the sovereign right to close
the Manta military base, where
US troops are deployed, in 2009,
when the deal with the US is due
to expire.
When inaugurating the
International Conference for the
Elimination of Foreign Military
Bases, Ecuadorian Deputy Defense
Minister Miguel Carvajal
highlighted "for a country to
enjoy sovereignty, it must exert
control over its entire
territory."
So, the minister added,
President Rafael Correa has
publicly promised not to renew
the agreement allowing
Washington to use the military
base southeast of the capital.
Ecuador s security policy is
based on the preservation of
peace and national development,
and there will be no stability
without them, he pointed out.
Over 400 delegates from 40
countries are attending the
conference, which is taking
place at the Catholic University
cultural center.
The meeting, to conclude on
Friday, will analyze the impact
of foreign military facilities
on the population and
environment, as well as their
utilization to control natural
resources.
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