Ecuador lawmakers delay ruling on referendum plan

Mon 12 Feb 2007 8:09 PM ET

QUITO, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Ecuadorean opposition lawmakers on Monday delayed ruling on President Rafael Correa's proposal for a referendum on reforming the constitution, citing fears for their safety after recent protests closed the Congress.

Congress was scheduled to meet late on Monday to vote on the referendum, but opposition parties pulled out of the session at the last minute after Correa supporters promised more protests to back the left-wing leader's proposal.

"There were no guarantees for our safety," opposition lawmaker Luis Fernando Torres told reporters.

Several hundred Correa backers stood outside Congress on Monday in a peaceful protest. But Indian groups and union workers pledge to bring thousands to the streets on Tuesday.

Hundreds of Correa supporters stormed Congress in January, fighting police and forcing lawmakers to evacuate the building to demand they approve the ballot to decide on whether to call a popular assembly to rewrite the constitution.

Correa, an ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, has promised to curtail the powers of the political elite, whom many Ecuadoreans blame for the chronic instability that has ousted three president in 10 years.