822.00/1676: Telegram
The Ambassador in Ecuador (Scotten) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:10 p.m.]
531. The Military Governor of Quito accompanied by another officer has just called upon me to assure me that the military authorities offer every class of protection to this Embassy. I stated that as we had no political refugees, no problem of protection existed but urged that they afford adequate protection to the other diplomatic missions here some of whom had political refugees. They stated that this had already been arranged and that the carabineros were now accompanying the Army and were dispersing crowds in front of the other Missions.
They informed me that Velasco Ibarra is expected here within 4 or 5 hours and they are arranging a triumphal entry for him. They added that immediately upon his arrival, the Junta of the Alianza would turn over the executive power to him as Provisional President. He will convoke a National Assembly in the shortest time possible, the maximum time being, they alleged, 60 days. Fair elections will then be held.
They added that the difference of opinion between the military here and in Guayaquil had arisen from the fact that the military authorities in Guayaquil wished the military authorities in Quito themselves to name a Junta but that the military authorities here refused to do so desiring to leave the Government entirely in the hands of civilians. They stated that complete harmony now exists between Guayaquil and Quito.