Combined Regional Efforts to Ease Ecuadorian Unrest
The situation in Ecuador remains heated as the newly appointed Economy Minister Rafael Correa revealed secret arrangements of ousted President Lucio Gutierrez with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international bodies.

Correa, 42, said some of those pacts consisted of "reforms of some sectors, privatization, elimination of subsidies and downsizing the ranks of public servants", among other issues.

He added that his Ministry will not impose measures that will negatively affect the population, and announced for the second half of May the arrival of an IMF mission in Ecuador to discuss the national situation and the secret deals with the ex president.

The cabinet executive requested Congressional support to do a proper job as Economy Minister but National Congress Chairman Wilfredo Lucero suspended sessions until next Tuesday due to a bomb threat that forced the evacuation of the building on Thursday.

Amid the social and political upheaval, a mission from the South American Community of Nations, made up of Deputy Foreign Ministers Luiz Felipe de Macedo (Brazil) and Armando Lecaros (Peru) and Bolivian Ambassador Edil Sandoval, is expected this Friday in Quito.

As a token of solidarity and support to Ecuadorian President Alfredo Palacios, the SCN representation will meet with local government officials to work out a solution to the national crisis, which began with violent demonstrations that led to the resignation and eviction of ex President Lucio Gutierrez.