822.01/103: Telegram

The Ambassador in Ecuador (Scotten) to the Secretary of State

551. Following is translation of part of report in today’s El Comercio press interview with Velasco Ibarra last night.

Question: What will be the attitude of the Government with respect to the international agreements of continental solidarity and of aid to the United Nations?

Answer: The government respects all the international obligations contracted by Ecuador. Not only that but even more (for) insofar as [Page 1042] it refers to continental solidarity, the greatest efficacy since it has the collaboration of all the Ecuadoran people. A Government which has this support which can speak in the name of its people is in circumstances much more favorable than any other for fulfilling an obligation of continental solidarity. The same can be said of the United Nations. The Government will scrupulously respect this obligation and it will give its unlimited collaboration being in circumstances much more favorable for doing so; for it can say that aid which it gives is from all the Ecuadoran people which accompanies the Government whatever can serve towards the triumph of democracy, of the liberal spirit of human justice and liberty against Caesarism. The doctrine of racial hatred and subjugation and domination of peoples by terror and force will [not] have the Government on its side and the Government will collaborate with the greatest efficacy in order that the defeat of the dictators may be achieved as soon as possible. It is necessary to banish from the world political, religious and racial hatred and the Government will cooperate in the action of all peoples for accomplishing this.

Question: What will be the attitude of the Government regarding the international obligation with Peru?

Answer: I have already stated on various occasions, having declared this to the press of Colombia, that I respect the obligations contracted by Ecuador in Rio de Janeiro.

Question: You have said that the Constituent Assembly will be convened on the 10th of next August. Could you inform me whether its object would be to issue a new constitution?

Answer: The principal objective of that Constituent Assembly will be the revising and coordinating of all Ecuadoran legislation which today is almost incomprehensible owing to the innumerable laws which have been issued for personal reasons and which do not meet the spirit of our legislation or of the present needs of the Republic.

Question: Do you wish to state that elections for the Constituent Assembly will be called more or less soon?

Answer: Exactly that convocation will be issued in accordance with the provisions of law, and the Constituent Assembly will be convened the 10th of next August, and I will deliver the power into its hands.

Scotten