Eloy Alfaro

Interview with Ecuador President Alfredo Palacio

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• published: 21 Jul 2015
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1. Wide shot of Alfredo Palacio, President of Ecuador 2. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Alfredo Palacio, President of Ecuador: "I haven't spoken about the details with the Secretary of State (Condoleeza Rice) about oil. But we did mention it. But this should not mean in any way that we are far apart on the issue, not with the United States or any other government. Today the conditions concerning the petroleum industry in various aspects are different. Most of the oil companies are in agreement that we should sit down and talk about the contracts." 3. Cutaway of Palacio 4. Pull-out from United Nation flag to wide shot of Palacio 5. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Alfredo Palacio, President of Ecuador: "The conflict and the internal drama that Colombia is going through deserves totally the support and the solidarity of the government and the people of Ecuador - and completely. And of course, in all the political and peaceful solutions that might be necessary, the government of Ecuador will take part actively. But if the solution is to be military, the government of Ecuador will not take part." 6. Cutaway tilt down from map to Palacio 7. Wide shot of Palacio 8. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Alfredo Palacio, President of Ecuador: "The position of the government of Ecuador is to combat terrorism at all levels. But we are believers, we are convinced that nations should resolve their internal conflicts peacefully." (Question: But does your government consider the FARC to be a terrorist organisation?) "Well, the government over which I preside combats terrorism at all levels and does not intervene at all in the internal politics of other countries, not even to give them names." 9. Wide shot of Palacio 10. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Alfredo Palacio, President of Ecuador: "There are people, sectors, who have the opinion that my government has a weakness. But I am maintaining that I represent a strong government. Why? Because the weakness is a strength. Why do they suppose the government is weak? I assumed power in conditions which occurred very quickly. I do not belong to any political party and I am not a politician. I will not be one. I never will be a politician. I will finish with this exercise and return to my office. Therefore what I have tried to do and am trying to do is to gather the best and most free minds of the nation to work. If this means that eventually there may appear a lack of coherence, I admit it. It might be that way. And if that is what happens I will correct the mistake when it is necessary." 11. Palacio with officials 12. Close up of Palacio, he exits STORYLINE: The President of Ecuador, Alfredo Palacio, says his government will do everything it can to help bring peace to neighbouring Colombia - but will not get involved militarily. Palacio, who assumed the presidency of Ecuador after violent street protests brought down the government of President Lucio Gutierrez in April this year, was speaking to the Associated Press during the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday. Palacio has also been under pressure due to his government's heretofore refusal to qualify the FARC guerillas in Colombia as a terrorist organisation. The President said that his government calling the FARC anything would be interference in Colombia's internal affairs. The president has also been facing his own troubles at home, as peasants demanding greater social benefits briefly tried to stop oil production in Ecuador last month. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/e7b002e6fb56f44355c88c1c102ad361 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork