Soldiers rush Ecuador hospital holding president At least 1 killed, 6 injured in uprising, the natio

[nadinbrzezinski]

Source: MSNBC

QUITO, Ecuador — Ecuador soldiers rushed a hospital where the nation's president was holed up.
The hospital was surrounded earlier in the day by rebellious police.
The police were angered by a law that cuts their benefits plunged this small South American nation into chaos Thursday, roughing up the president, shutting down airports and blocking highways in a nationwide strike.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39441275/ns/world_news-americas

---

Still waiting for MSNBC, I know Ironic, to break programming...

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

1. Apparently the army has freed The President who is not injured. Live Telesur feed:

http://www.telesurtv.net/solotexto/senal_vivo.php

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Why am I having flashbacks?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

3. This is a very strange situation.. Even for America Latina standards. There's still

some shooting. Feed was just lost.

[Turborama]

4. Al Jazeera English have live coverage that's working and a translator, link...

Here: http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now /

AJ English have been doing some really good coverage of this.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. I still got Telesur

Correa left the Hospital.

This is two factions, it looks like me. Left vs right to be honest.

Oh and it looks to me that it failed.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

10. Telesur saying that the President will address the nation from pres. palace. nt

[Turborama]

13. Epic FAIL. Huge crowds of supporters celebrating.

Thank Gaia it all seems to be over.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

7. Thanks. Been following Telesur in Spanish. I don't believe they have an English feed.

They are right next to the action ducking from gunfire.

http://www.telesurtv.net/solotexto/senal_vivo.php

[a la izquierda]

9. they don't and i've been having spotty coverage problems.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

12. My feed is working perfectly even w/ my shitty AT&T service. Listening to witnesses right now.

[a la izquierda]

36. eh, it might be my internet connection...

or my craptacular dell.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

49. You know, my Dell has been good to me.... so far. But I hate AT&T but I guess you get

what you pay for.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. One thing that I can tell you from, the Mexican Press

they get into the thick of it... just like we medics.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

14. .

[Turborama]

6. CNN International took over and went to this. Not sure if CNN USA did the same thing

or if they're still showing AC360.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. 360 just went there

nooze OUTSIDE the US... who the hell cares?

Mark my words, if this actually succeeded, they would have.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

15. Will try to transcribe Correa's comments if he addresses the nation. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. He is doing it now

[Turborama]

17. That would be very much appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

18. Saying that he did not expect that the police would be manipulated that way.

Not all policemen were involved. But some did plot against his government. Asking for a moment of silence for dead soldier.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. The business community kidnapped the pressident

and Brothers fell to liberate him...

The police was manipulated.

The army rescued us.

Unknown people want to defeat us, with machine guns... (Bad sound)

I was told that at least one officer was fallen, I started to cry, they should not, but he is my brother.

(Sound is terrible)

Please, that, that, that,(screams about murderers) we don't know how many there are but waited for the army with machine guns, let's observe a minute of silence.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. The conspiracy, the infamy of trying to stop the revolution of the people

and the comrades who saw to my rescue. With gas how can they be officers, those who behaved that way... ( screaming people)

[nadinbrzezinski]

27. They have mobilized in support of the national government

the revolution, democracy in the land... (screams)

Thank you to those heroes that went with me, my personal guard that was kicked, the lt, that has a pulmonary contusion... with the danger they started to support me. They were willing to die if needed. With that valor and loyalty nothing will defeat us. And thank you for all those who were here, with the exception of some people who celebrated that I was kidnapped, and asked for amnesty.

Never we gave up, never we accepted to negotiate under pressure, to talk, All the presidents of Lat Am, like Zapatero, that came in solidarity, the OEA, CHile, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, (i am missing a few countries) To analyze the situation, that it is incredible that the police rebels., Treason for the people to get recompense that it is not true. How they can play whit the future of the motherland, that I was informed of some problems in Quito, We went to talk. What we wanted to know, Nobody has supported the police, or given better salaries. Believe me, I felt very sad, like if I was knifed in the back after all we did for the Police. It was not all the police. About 400 cops and their families, when I mentioned the salaries, I was called a liar.

[nadinbrzezinski]

29. I am told there are five injured no dead.

The pretext was on the decorations. When we realized we could not talk, and we wanted to get away, they threw gas, at us. We needed to take them to the hospital of the PD, and were kidnapped. This is a shame for the police.

[nadinbrzezinski]

35. Your government has helped us the most

why is this happening?

You have read the law, and I give you my word of honor, about fifteen cops, none have read the law, and were led, by rumors and psychological warfare. Why they were allowed to be led. What have we done comrades, on how the government works on the law for civil service to avoid the abuses, the problems every three months, we prohibited all that. (They tried to clean up police practices, my interpretation) screams.

[nadinbrzezinski]

39. An officer earned 800 years after five years, started at 200

now officers ear 700 from the get go.

How could they do that?

They say that we don't take into account what they do, but on the contrary, we do. Article 115 for the first time recognizes for the armed forces and the police and fire fighters, the special working conditions, and their salary will be taken into account that. They have betrayed the land, and the conspirators are the guilty party. And see if by conspiracy they can achieve what they cannot achieve in the voting booth. They said that the law would reduce salaries. Comrades, we need to get the motherland ahead.

[nadinbrzezinski]

42. Gentlemen don't lose time with me

either I leave as the President of an honorable nation, or as a dead body. He is thanking the special forces that risked body and limb to rescue him and the popular movements. There were other times when coups were done by the army, when public force was forced to maintain order. When the forces of order were used against the people. Pay attention to today, and to support the hundreds of the national police that are good officers, a few that will be sanctioned. And the law will not be thrown out. And to you comrades, let's look at the future and the hospital is destroyed, and many innocent have suffered

We need to look forwards, and with hope and conviction and valor and make our revolution unstoppable. Until victory.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

46. Well done sir. :-)

[nadinbrzezinski]

53. Native tongue, it helps

what don't help was at times a lousy feed!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

56. Yeah same here. As many years as I've been in this country I try to keep

my skills sharp.

[Judi Lynn]

62. Thank you! n/t

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

30. Oh he's pissed or like we say ''encabronado'' .nt

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

20. "They have spilled Ecuadorean blood unnecessarily. Shot at the army with machine guns. These

murderers.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

22. "Hopefully "they conscience will help them realize what they've done. Thank

to the brave soldiers and citizens. How can they call themselves police officers? These cowards."

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

23. 'People shouting ''the people united will never be defeated!'' nt

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

24. Now thanking the government officials who stood with him side by side.

Implying that certain elements were denying he was kidnapped and were asking for amnesty.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

25. Now giving shout outs to all governments and leaders who supported him. ;-)

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

26. He claims that the police were misled reg. the law and public servant benefits. nt

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

28. He is claiming that Lucio Gutierrez's people infiltrated the police and were

fomenting violence against him.

[nadinbrzezinski]

31. Two sets of ears are better than one

for transcription

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

32. I am a slow ass typist (sic). nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

45. No problem, got it most of it

Oy...

[Judi Lynn]

63. God. He's a true sleazeball. He was President once.

http://www.axisoflogic.com.nyud.net:8090/artman/uploads/ex_president_lucio_gutierrez.jpg http://radiolaluna.com.nyud.net:8090/imagenes/Lucio_Bush.jpg
Thanks for the translating, also.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

65. Oh I remember they put him out on his ass........ Any time nt

[Turborama]

33. He went to the barracks to try and calm them down and risked his life. This guy is a hero!

Quote from Rafael Correa's speech to soldiers from Quito's main barracks: "If you want to kill the president, here he is. Kill him, if you want to. Kill him if you are brave enough!”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11447519

[Judi Lynn]

64. Thanks, Turborama. n/t

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

34. ''Not one of these so called officers read the law." ''This law was designed to

curb corruption.''

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

37. Now comparing the police salaries before him to the raises that he's given them.

[Turborama]

38. All this over stopping "Christmas baskets and payments for medals".

Sounds like he was taking away sweeteners and raising their wages instead.

[nadinbrzezinski]

40. He was, but lies are powerful

feed's off

[Turborama]

41. AJE are still broadcasting his statement with translator.

Here: http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now /

[nadinbrzezinski]

44. And here I am translating up thread

[Turborama]

48. A transcribed version is always very much appreciated.

(ETA this is for you and Guy Whitey Corngood) :yourock:

Not everyone will have been able to watch it live and what he said deserves to be reviewed.

[nadinbrzezinski]

50. We were going as fast as we could

I am betting.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

54. I regret not having taken that typing class in high school. You know back in the day when we

had typewriters.

[nadinbrzezinski]

58. Well as a woman it was typing or typing

I mean computer science was only for them boys.

And no, I am not shitting you.

So while they got COBOL, I got typing. COBOL is no longer used, but I use typing every day.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

60. I remember. In my case I went to an all boys jesuit ''commie'' school in Bayamon PR. I was just lazy...

Instead of typing I chose a "study period" which pretty much meant time to fuck around.

[Turborama]

61. Coverage is over. There'll be more at the top of the hour, though

They're regularly updating their site, too: http://english.aljazeera.net/

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

43. ''The same conspirators are to blame for this. They try to achieve their means this

way when they can't win by the ballot. This lying "homeland selling" opposition. As I told them today I leave as president or corpse. So I say thank you brothers and sisters who fought for your country. Coups were successful in the past and today is a sad day when these people will attack their commander in chief. And of course the law will not be revoked. Yes through dialog not through violence. History will judge these people. Forward with more conviction, bravery and strength. This revolution will not be stopped. Hasta la victoria siempre!"

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

47. Now they're having a block party, lots of ass shaking.......

OK I made that up.

[Turborama]

52. LOL I really want to go on vacation to Ecuador now.

I've always been curious about the place and am even more so now after all this.

[Downwinder]

55. Go. Recommended.

[Downwinder]

51. Thanks to all for the blow by blow.

[Turborama]

57. "I said I would leave as a proud representative of our government (maybe people?) or as a corpse.

I left with my head held high."

Not sure if he said "government" or "people", what he meant is the same thing though.

[nadinbrzezinski]

59. It can mean the same thing

he kept referring to the Motherland as well.

[bluesmail]

66. WoW Thanks from me for the minute to minute thank you all. eom

[Ghost Dog]

67. Yes, many thanks! Great DU reporting in this thread. Gracias. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

68. The live coverage on this thread was stupendous! So much happened in such a short time.

Truly extraordinary presence of mind, so glad there are fluent DU Spanish speakers who were tuned into this event.

[Ichingcarpenter]

69. Yes it was informative and better

than other media supplied.

I think big oil was also behind the attempted coup.
I'm sure some their money supported it.

[Judi Lynn]

70. No doubt! I remember so clearly learning the big US based corporations in Chile

were the primary backers of the coup against Allende in Chile, as well, besides Nixon's CIA, that is.

Correa has made enemies just like Chavez with the oil people because he intends to put Ecuadoreans first, before US corporate profits. I have no doubt you're right.

[Judi Lynn]

71. A few photographs from Reuters:

Click on the thumbnails, please. I couldn't copy and paste them successfully, for some reason:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Photos+Unrest+Ecuador/3606515/story.html

[Hell Hath No Fury]

72. Has there been any official statement by the Administration --

on what happened? I am really really curious to know what, if anything, they said about this.

[Judi Lynn]

73. There's been a deep LACK of response by the administration, from what I can see so far.

They are going to be taken with great suspicion no matter what they manage to offer, due to their continued financing of the coup government after the Honduran business community and the military illegally, violently kidnapped and removed the elected Honduran President.

They will have to pick their words carefully in order to avoid creating more suspicion of their position here.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

74. Lack of response.

Hmmm, just what I was expecting, frankly. After Honduras there seems to be a pattern emerging from O....

Interestingly, with his focus on the ME, GW was the best thing to ever happen to Latin America! :D Looks like the US Eye is back on track down there. :(