ECUADOR: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela begins South American tour to strengthen relations in region

Record ID: 1530351

  • Title: ECUADOR: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela begins South American tour to strengthen relations in region
  • Date: 7th April 2010
  • Summary: QUITO, ECUADOR (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
  • Embargoed: 22nd April 2010 09:52
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ecuador
  • Country: Ecuador
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA55U8F4LNABNUD67WT5SKC6UC4
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela met with Ecuador's President Rafael Correa in Quito on Tuesday (April 06) on the second day of an official tour to try to reestablish ties in South America.
    In the past years, a shift to the left led by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has cooled relations between the U.S. and many South American nations, including Ecuador.
    Last year, leftist Correa spearheaded a push to U.S. troops off a military base in Ecuador. The troops set up in Colombia, the top U.S. ally in the region.
    When asked if the United Sates was working on a deal with Brazil to fight drug trafficking, Valenzuela was elusive.
    "The U.S. is working as usual, because when one has a good relationship with other countries in the world one looks to establish agreements and as always that is being seen. It's part of the daily politics of a country and everyday countries look to establish different agreements. And among those things we are working on is a security agreement with Brazil, but it's still not finished. So I don't want to say anything else about it because it's something still in the works," he said.
    During his meeting with President Correa on Tuesday, Valenzuela said the Washington is concerned with Ecuador's ties to Iran.
    But Correa said dismissed Valenzuela's concerns, saying the relations added up to little more than a commercial bond.
    "Really the situation with Iran could be distorted and borders and limits put up. We understand the U.S.-Iran conflict. If we can do something to fix you can count on us. But I insist, we want to have friendly, respectful relations with all the countries in the world, and if possible sell more bananas to Iran," Correa said.
    Under the leftist Correa, Ecuador has strengthened diplomatic and commercial ties with Iran, which has opened an embassy in Quito and is forging wider relations across Latin America despite the concerns of Washington. Both are members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
    The United States and its European allies have been trying to pressure Iran to suspend its disputed nuclear programme, which the West fears is a cover to build bombs.
    Valenzuela will also visit Bogota and Lima on his trip.
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