Ecuador Assembly, Tooth and Nail

Quito, Mar 12 (Prensa Latina) Ecuador will host this week national protests in defense of the Constituency Assembly and to stop conservative tactics to reinstate 57 legislators removed from office for obstructing a referendum to give that assemblage full power.

The protests will be held at several cities after President Rafael Correa called on the weekend to start a "peaceful resistance" to contend those opposing the Constituency Assembly.

The conservative parties in Congress are Renovador Institucional, Social Cristiano and Christian Democrat.

Movimiento Popular Democratico (MPD), along workers, students, Indigenous people and members of the government Alianza PAIS, announced protests in Guayaquil, south east the capital.

Cesar Rodriguez, regional coordinator for Alianza PAIS, said the protests start the campaign in favor of the referendum slated for April 15 in demand of an Assembly with full power.

Like Rodriguez, Humberto Cholango, leader of the Confederacion de Nacionalidades Indigenas de la Sierra (Ecuarunari), stressed the need to defend the Assembly to change the future of Ecuador.

Ecuador Set to Hold Popular Referendum

Quito, Mar 1 (Prensa Latina) Ecuador s TSE (Election Supreme Court) decided on Thursday to hold a popular plebiscite on April 15 for the establishment of a National Constituent Assembly with full powers.

TSE President Jorge Acosta pointed out that people would be called on radio and television tonight to participate in the referendum, adding that the TSE is responding to a demand from the Ecuadorian people.

The decision to call a referendum was made after the Economy Ministry transferred 16 million dollars for expenses, and the presidency of the Republic handed over an amended statute of the Constituent Assembly.

Acosta will also announce the Assembly's rules, which will be included on the ballot, which will have only one question: "Do you approve of calling and establishing a National Constituent Assembly to draw up a new Constitution?"

TSE spokespersons said that four out of seven members supported the call for a referendum. They were the representatives of the Democratic Left, Alianza Pais, Roldosista and Patriotic Society parties.

Those against were the right-wing organizations Social Christian and Institutional Renovating parties. The representative of the Democratic Christian Party abstained from voting.