Ecuador not to reestablish relations if Colombia's media attack continues
QUITO, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador will not reestablish diplomatic relations with Colombia as long as the latter continues media attacks against Ecuador, Ecuador's Minister of the Interior Gustavo Larrea said on Thursday.
"As long as Colombia continues attacking Ecuador, Ecuador will not resume relations," Larrea told Teleamazonas television.
He rejected allegations that Ecuadorian officials may have been involved in the actions of Colombian guerrilla forces.
"We regret and deplore those remarks that do not allow our relations to be resumed as soon as possible," said Larrea.
Ecuador broke relations with Colombia after its March 1 military attack in Ecuadorian territory against a clandestine base belonging to the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Larrea also rejected Colombia's justification of the killing ofan Ecuadorian in the attack.
Ecuadorian Franklin Aisalia died in the Colombian military operation and his body was transferred to Colombia. Over 20 people were killed in the attack, including FARC's second-in-command and spokesman Edgar Devia alias Raul Reyes.
Larrea stated that Colombia has not been able to confirm Aisalia was related to the FARC but it has been proven that he was murdered by Colombian military troops in the Ecuadorian territory.
"Nobody can be sentenced to death prior to a trial, no matter who the alleged criminal might be, and he has to stand trial before being sentenced to death," said Larrea.
Larrea said Colombia could not deny it had attacked and bombed Ecuadorian territory and therefore Colombia must indemnify "for all the damage it has caused Ecuador."
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