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Rafael Correa | |
President of Ecuador | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 15 January 2007 | |
Vice President | Jorge Glas Lenín Moreno |
Preceded by | Alfredo Palacio |
President pro tempore of the Union of South American Nations | |
In office 10 August 2009 – 26 November 2010 | |
Preceded by | Michelle Bachelet |
Succeeded by | Bharrat Jagdeo |
Chairman of the PAIS Alliance | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 19 February 2006 | |
Preceded by | Position established |
Minister of Finance | |
In office 20 April 2005 – 9 August 2005 | |
President | Alfredo Palacio |
Preceded by | Mauricio Yepez |
Succeeded by | Magdalena Barreiro |
Personal details | |
Born | Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado 6 April 1963 Guayaquil, Ecuador |
Political party | PAIS Alliance |
Spouse(s) | Anne Malherbe Gosselin |
Children | Sofía Anne Dominique Rafael Miguel |
Residence | Carondelet Palace |
Alma mater | Catholic University of Guayaquil Catholic University of Louvain University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign |
Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Website | Official website |
This article may be too long to read and navigate comfortably. (February 2013) |
Rafael Correa | |
President of Ecuador | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 15 January 2007 | |
Vice President | Jorge Glas Lenín Moreno |
Preceded by | Alfredo Palacio |
President pro tempore of the Union of South American Nations | |
In office 10 August 2009 – 26 November 2010 | |
Preceded by | Michelle Bachelet |
Succeeded by | Bharrat Jagdeo |
Chairman of the PAIS Alliance | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 19 February 2006 | |
Preceded by | Position established |
Minister of Finance | |
In office 20 April 2005 – 9 August 2005 | |
President | Alfredo Palacio |
Preceded by | Mauricio Yepez |
Succeeded by | Magdalena Barreiro |
Personal details | |
Born | Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado 6 April 1963 Guayaquil, Ecuador |
Political party | PAIS Alliance |
Spouse(s) | Anne Malherbe Gosselin |
Children | Sofía Anne Dominique Rafael Miguel |
Residence | Carondelet Palace |
Alma mater | Catholic University of Guayaquil Catholic University of Louvain University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign |
Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Website | Official website |
Rafael Vicente Correa Delgado (Spanish: [rafaˈel korˈea]; born 6 April 1963)[1] is the President of the Republic of Ecuador and the former president pro tempore of the Union of South American Nations. An economist educated in Ecuador, Belgium and the United States, he was elected President in late 2006 and took office in January 2007. In December 2008, he declared Ecuador's national debt illegitimate, based on the argument that it was odious debt contracted by corrupt and despotic prior regimes. He announced that the country would default on over $3 billion worth of bonds; he then pledged to fight creditors in international courts and succeeded in reducing the price of outstanding bonds by more than 60%.[2] He brought Ecuador into the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas in June 2009. To date, Correa's administration has succeeded in reducing the high levels of poverty and unemployment in Ecuador.[3][4][5][6][7] In contrast, he has been accused of authoritarianism, nepotism, attacking dissidents and curtailing freedom of speech.[8][9][10][11]
Correa's first term in office had been due to end on 15 January 2011, with elections in October 2010, but the new approved constitution written by the new National Assembly mandated general elections for 26 April 2009. In that election, Correa won in the first round with 51.9%[12] of votes counted. In the 2013 general election, Correa was elected President for a third time with 57% of the vote. Correa was a close ally of the late President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and presided over Ecuador's accession into the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas.[3][4][13][14][15][16]
A descendant of the Ecuadorian politician Rafael Correa de Saa y Lazón, Rafael Correa was raised in a working-class family from Guayaquil, the country's largest city. His father was Rafael Correa Icaza, born in the Province of Los Ríos, Ecuador, 23 March 1934, and deceased 10 June 1995. His mother is Norma Delgado Rendón, born 1 September 1939.[17] His parents had three more children: Fabricio Correa, Pierina Correa and Bernardita Correa(+).
When Correa was 25 years old,[18] his father was caught smuggling drugs (2 kilograms of cocaine) into the U.S. and was convicted and sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison for this crime. He was transparent about the fact that he is the son of a drug-smuggler[19] ("narcotraficante") although he has seriously avoided this topic and has been very harsh and has used intimidation to reporters and political opponents that bring this fact of his life.[20] Rafael had a troubled and difficult childhood – the family struggled to make ends meet.[21] Correa has publicly acknowledged this incident when he said: "I do not condone what he did (but) drug smugglers are not criminals. They are single mothers or unemployed people who are desperate to feed their families".[22]
He carried out his primary and secondary studies in San José-La Salle School in Guayaquil.[23] During his youth he was part and directed groups of Scouts of the Association of Scouts of Ecuador, as well as a troop of the Group 14 San José-La Salle, and afterwards, Group 17 Christopher Columbus which he also helped create.[23]
During his secondary studies he was president of the Lasallian Student Cultural Association ("ACEL" in Spanish). Afterwards and based on his academic achievements, he obtained a scholarship to study at the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG in Spanish), a private higher education institution in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where he obtained an undergraduate degree in economics in 1987.[24]
When attending UCSG, he was elected President of the Association of Students of Economy, Audit and Administration (AEAA) and, later on, President of the Federation of Students (FEUC) of the same education center, a position which in 1986 allowed him to preside over the Private Universities Students Federation of Ecuador (FEUPE in Spanish).[24]
Following the conclusion of his studies at UCSG, he worked for one year in a mission at a kindergarten run by the Salesian order in Zumbahua, Cotopaxi Province, where Correa provided support to increase literacy of the indigenous population, as well as support for microenterprise development. During his work at Zumbabua he acquired a basic knowledge of Quechua, spoken by the majority of the indigenous population living in the Ecuadorean Andes.[25] In addition to Spanish and Quechua, he speaks French and English.[26]
In 1990, while studying at the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium, he met Anne Malherbe Gosselin who was also studying there. They married in Belgium and later had three children: Sofía, Anne Dominique and Miguel.[27] He received a Master of Arts in Economics from the Université Catholique de Louvain in June 1991.
In 1993 he was a director at the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) in Ecuador, with administrative oversight and supervision of improvement programs for the national educational system. The improvement programs were funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
He later studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a Master of Science in Economics in May 1999, and a PhD in Economics in October 2001. According to The Washington Post, Correa's adviser at the University of Illinois, Werner Baer, supports his former student. "He appreciates the market to a certain point, but he knows that the market left alone concentrates wealth", he said. "He is not going to do anything foolish... because he is a fairly open-minded person."[28]
In his doctoral dissertation, titled "Three Essays on Contemporary Latin American Development", Correa affirmed that the structural reforms instituted in Latin America beginning in the 1980s, failed as drivers for growth in the region. By means of econometric analysis, Correa argued that the reforms did not spur growth and also that the liberalization of the labor markets reduced the productivity of Latin American countries.[29]
In 2005, Correa served as economy and finance minister under Alfredo Palacio. During his four months in office, he advocated poverty reduction and economic sovereignty. Correa was skeptical of a free-trade deal with the United States, did not take advice from the International Monetary Fund, and worked to increase Ecuador's cooperation with other Latin American countries. After the World Bank withheld a loan (citing changes to the oil income stabilization fund), Correa resigned from Palacio's government. Correa had also proposed the issuance of government bonds at a lower interest rate than the 8.5% prevailing one at that time. Venezuela's government was to purchase half of the new bond issue. Correa claimed in his resignation letter that the sale was done with full presidential authorization, but cited lack of support from the president as a factor in his decision to resign.[30]
When Correa resigned as minister, polls showed he had the highest credibility of any official in the administration at the time, with 57% of Ecuadorians saying that they trusted him.[31]
At the start of 2006 Presidential campaign, Rafael Correa founded the Alianza PAIS—Patria Altiva y Soberana ("Proud and Sovereign Fatherland Alliance"). The movement espouses political sovereignty, regional integration, and economic relief for Ecuador's poor. Correa, an observant Roman Catholic, describes himself as a humanist, a Christian leftist, and a proponent of 21st century socialism.[32]
During the campaign, Correa proposed a constituent assembly to rewrite Ecuador's constitution.[33] Alianza PAIS did not run any congressional candidates, as Correa had stated that he would call for a referendum to begin drafting a new constitution. However, the Alianza PAIS movement signed a political alliance with the Ecuadorian Socialist Party, which did present candidates for Congress.[34] On 31 July 2006, Alianza PAIS also signed a Programmatic Political Agreement with the Communist Party of Ecuador when Correa was postulated for candidate for president.[35]
Other parties that joined Alianza PAIS coalition in a runoff election included: Democratic People's Movement,[36] Democratic Left,[37] Pachakutik,[38] and the Partido Roldista Ecuatoriano.[39]
On economic policy, Correa called for reform of the petroleum industry, including an increase in the percentage of petroleum revenues spent on social programs for the Ecuadorian poor, following the reforms of the Hydrocarbons Law promoted by former Economy and Finance Minister Diego Borja. He accused foreign petroleum companies operating in Ecuador of failing to meet existing environmental and investment regulations. In an interview, Correa stated:
Many of the oil contracts are a true entrapment for the country. Of every five barrels of oil that the multinationals produce, they leave only one for the state and take four... That is absolutely unacceptable. We're going to revise and renegotiate the contracts."[40]
He advocated reform of the financial sector, including limiting offshore deposits by local banks to no more than 10% of their holdings.
Correa also proposed strategies for reducing the burden of Ecuador's foreign debt service through compulsory debt restructuring. He indicated that his top priority would be spending on social programs rather than servicing Ecuador's debt.[41]
Correa criticized the neoliberal policies of Jamil Mahuad to adopt the US dollar as the country's official currency while later acknowledging that it would not now be feasible to abandon that policy.
Correa also criticized Ecuador's draft free trade agreement as currently negotiated with the US,[42] although he does advocate expanding trade and opening markets with other countries, urging in particular the integration of South American economies.[43]
On foreign policy, Correa commented on Ecuador's relations with its neighbor Colombia. Correa stressed Ecuador's interest in staying uninvolved in internal conflict in Colombia.[44] In October 2006, Correa added that he would "pursue and capture" FARC members if they enter Ecuador. He also declared that he condemns their kidnappings, violations of human rights and bombings.[45] Later, during his presidency National Police of Colombia accused Correa of having ties to the FARC. Correa denied the accusations. See section Presidency.
In August 2006, Correa told the Ecuadorian press that he was not part of the Venezuelan Bolivarian movement, although he considered Hugo Chávez a personal friend.
In response to Chávez's comparison of George W. Bush with Satan, Correa said it was unfair to the devil.[46]
In addition to his platform on economic and social policy, Correa's ability to communicate with a large majority of Ecuador's indigenous population in their own language also differentiated him from other candidates. He learned Quichua in his youth during a year he spent volunteering in a remote highland town.[47] However, in the 15 October election, a large percentage of the votes in areas with high concentration of indigenous people went to candidate Gilmar Gutiérrez, brother of Lucio Gutiérrez, although Correa generally ran second in these areas.[48]
In the 15 October 2006 general election, Correa obtained second place (22.84%) behind banana tycoon Álvaro Noboa (26.83%). Correa won the subsequent 26 November 2006 runoff election with 56.67% of the vote.[49] He took office on 15 January 2007.
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Ecuador |
Rafael Correa was officially declared President of Ecuador on 4 December 2006 by the country's electoral court. He was sworn in on 15 January 2007 as the 56th president of Ecuador, the seventh to occupy the post since the legislature removed president Abdalá Bucaram 10 years earlier in the midst of a debt crisis that had devastated the country. His inauguration was attended by most regional leaders, as well as the Iranian president and the Spanish Crown Prince.[50]
Correa promised to get rid of the traditionally corrupt political class.[51][52][53]
Socialism will continue. The Ecuadorian people voted for that. We are going to emphasize this fight for social justice, for regional justice. We are going to continue the fight to eliminate all forms of workplace exploitation within our socialist conviction: the supremacy of human work over capital. Nobody is in any doubt that our preferential option is for the poorest people, we are here because of them. Hasta la victoria siempre! (Until victory, for ever)
— Rafael Correa, April 30, 2009[54]
Correa's administration has suggested that the new government will not sign an agreement allowing the International Monetary Fund to monitor its economic plan. In February 2007, Correa's economy minister Ricardo Patiño stated: "I have no intention ... of accepting what some governments in the past have accepted: that (the IMF) tell us what to do on economic policy." "That seems unacceptable to us," Patiño added. However, as a member of the IMF, the annual report known as the "Article IV" report will be undertaken.[55]
In May 2007, evidence surfaced that some of the Ecuadorian government rhetoric might have been part of an alleged market manipulation to benefit Ecuador from movements in the price of financial instruments linked to Ecuadorian Bonds.[56] A fall in Ecuador bond prices, ignited by aggressive default rhetoric, would trigger a buyback by Ecuador, financed by Venezuelan banks. This strategy collapsed due to operations engaged by Venezuelan financial institutions who profited from the market swings. Correa referred to the allegations as a conspiracy from a powerful banker.[57][58][59] On 26 July 2007, Rafael Correa replaced finance minister Patiño, due to Patiño's appearance in a video recording, apparently discussing the market manipulation. Patiño then assumed a newly created position responsible for the Pacific coast region and later assumed the Politics Affairs Ministry.[60] In a radio address on 13 December, Correa said that he wanted to force a "big discount" on creditors, whom a day earlier he called "true monsters who won't hesitate to crush the country".[61] "I have lost sleep over this ... this will cost us tears and sweat but I think we are doing the right thing."[62] Correa, who endorses anti-debt NGO Jubilee 2000's slogan "life before debt", is popular among Ecuadorians for his stance against foreign investors.[62]
Correa has criticized the neoliberal policies of previous presidents, particularly former president Mahuad's adoption of the U.S. dollar as Ecuador's domestic currency in 2000. Correa has characterized dollarisation as a "technical error" which has effectively eliminated Ecuador's ability to set its own currency and exchange policy. However, Correa has also acknowledged that it would be politically impossible to abandon that policy now. After his election victory of 15 April 2007, he pledged to maintain dollarisation during the four years of his administration, though he also indicated his support for the idea of replacing the dollar with a regional South American currency at some point in the future.[63]
On 16 April 2009, Finance Minister Maria Elsa Viteri embarked on a trip to Europe in a mission to present Ecuador's offer to buy back global bonds 2012 and 2030 at 30% of their current value. In May 2009, Ecuador announced that it had successfully bought 91% of the bonds at a cost of 35 cents on the dollar.[64]
In May of the 2008, the Ecuadorian government re-negotiated the concessions of radio spectrum of cellular operators Porta and Movistar for a total amount of 700 million dollars, a higher sum than that established by studies carried out under previous governments, in which it was recommended to give the same concessions for 70 million dollars.[65]
During Rafael Correa's tenure as president he took some radical alternative steps to change the course of Ecuador's relations with the rest of the world. Amongst these were economic moves to correct Ecuador's debt imbalance, distancing from the United States, a rift with its northern neighbor Colombia, and a strengthening of ties with ALBA (including Venezuela and Bolivia), as well as Iran.
On 1 March 2008 at 00:25 local time (05:25 UTC), Colombia launched a military operation, 1.8 kilometers (1.1 mi) into Ecuador.[66][67][68] According to Colombian authorities, the guerrillas responded militarily to this initial bombardment from a position in the vicinity of Santa Rosa de Yanamaru, on the Ecuadorian side of the border, killing a Colombian soldier, Carlos Hernández. A second bombardment was then carried out, resulting in the deaths of Raúl Reyes and at least 20 more FARC members.[69] Two bodies, several documents and three laptops found in the guerrilla camp were returned to Colombia.[66][68] This was the first time the Colombian military had killed a member of FARC's leadership council in combat.[70] After this operation, the Colombian authorities increased its security measures nationwide, fearing FARC retaliation.[71]
According to the Ecuadorian government, the attack happened 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) inside its own territory, lacked its permission and was a planned strike, intended to be followed by the incursion of Colombian troops by helicopter. It pointed out that the attack had left a total of more than 20 people dead in Ecuadorian territory, many of whom were found to be wearing underwear or sleeping clothes.[72][73] The government of Ecuador concluded that the attack was a "massacre" and not the result of combat or "hot pursuit". Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa had reason to believe that the Colombian warplanes had penetrated 10 km into Ecuador's territory and struck the guerrilla camp while flying north, followed by troops in helicopters who had completed the killings. He claimed that some of the bodies had been found to be shot from behind.[73]
The Ecuadorian authorities found three wounded women in the camp, including a Mexican student who was identified as Lucía Andrea Morett Álvarez.[74][75] Lucía Morett claimed that she was visiting the guerrilla group as part of an academic investigation, refusing to answer other questions about the circumstances surrounding her presence there.[76] Regarding the attack on the camp, she has stated: "I was asleep when we received a first aerial attack. Two or three hours later we were attacked again".[76] Ecuador said that it was cooperating with Mexico to investigate whether any Mexicans had been killed during the raid.[77] According to the director of the Ecuadorian military hospital which treated the three women, they had received some sort of medical attention from both the attacking Colombian forces and the Ecuadorian soldiers who later found them.[78]
President Uribe of Colombia spoke by telephone with his Ecuadorian counterpart, Rafael Correa, early on the morning of the raid, to inform him of the incident.[79] In a press conference that evening, Correa denounced the attack as "aggression" against Ecuador, calling it a "massacre," and claiming that the rebels had been killed in their sleep using "advanced technology". He announced that he was summoning his ambassador in Colombia for consultations.[79] On Sunday, 2 March, Correa said that a diplomatic note would be sent in protest at the incursion,[80] claiming that the action had been a violation of Ecuador's airspace.[81] Ecuador formally recalled its ambassador from Colombia and expelled the Colombian ambassador from Quito.[79]
Correa withdrew his government's ambassador in Bogotá, Colombia, and ordered troops to the country's border following the 2008 Andean diplomatic crisis in early March 2008.[82] On 3 March 2008, Colombia's police said that documents found in a camp in Ecuador where Colombian troops killed Raul Reyes, a top guerrilla boss, showed ties between the FARC rebels and Correa, including contacts about political proposals and local military commanders.[83] Correa denied the accusations, calling them lies.[84] Correa also said that a deal to release political prisoners – including former Colombian Sen. Ingrid Betancourt – was nearly complete before the 1 March 2008 Colombian raid into his country.[85] On 5 March 2008, Correa and Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez met to discuss Colombia's attack and made a series of accusations against Colombia's government.[86] During the meeting, Correa dismissed Colombia's president Álvaro Uribe as just a "puppet" while others are the "puppet masters".[87] On 18 May 2011, Colombia's Supreme Court ruled documents found on computers of slain FARC commander "Raul Reyes" are inadmissible as evidence in court as the material is illegally obtained and provides no evidence.[88]
At a Rio Group summit held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on 7 March 2008, after a heated exchange of accusations between Correa and Uribe, the diplomatic crisis was temporarily resolved with Colombia's apologies for the attack and reassurances that it would not be repeated. Correa said that with this resolution Latin America was starting a new era where international principles of justice will have preeminence over power.[89]
Ecuador's relationship with the United States has deteriorated considerably in recent years, since Correa took office in Ecuador, mostly due to his Correa's growing relationship with Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia and Iran and also his publicly criticism of the Foreign Policy of the United States. He did not renew United States Southern Command's lease of Eloy Alfaro Air Base in Manta, ending the U.S. presence at this military base in September 2009.[90]
In June 2009, Correa joined the Chávez-backed Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), together with Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia and other countries. Correa considered Chávez a personal friend and also said that "there is really no one that is a more admiring Hugo Chávez fan than me. I am the hugest fan personally and professionally, I think he is a great politician."[91]
In February 2007, Correa's plan to have a referendum on the convening of a constituent assembly was approved by Congress. The referendum took place on 15 April 2007. However, after this date was set, the "statutes" for the referendum were modified by Correa to allow more powers to the constituent assembly.,[92][93] One of these powers was the ability to dismiss Congress, a power which Congress never approved. The newer version of the referendum was approved by the majority of the seven-seat Electoral Tribunal. In early March, Congress, which was controlled by Correa's opposition, reacted by trying to impeach the President of the electoral tribunal.[94] The electoral tribunal then removed from office the 57 members of Congress who tried to impeach the President of the Electoral Tribunal, on the grounds of attempting to intervene an electoral process. Correa backed the electoral tribunal (which approved his version of the referendum) while stating that the removal of the 57 congressmen was constitutional. The situation escalated to a feud between the opposition in Congress and the Executive and marches in the street against Congress and police intervention to prevent the Congressmen from entering the legislative building.[95][96]
On 22 March 21 alternate deputies were sworn in, allowing the Congress to regain quorum, and on 23 and 24 March a further 20 deputies were sworn in. The new majority (formed by 28 alternate deputies and 31 deputies from parties that support the referendum and Assembly) pledged to support the referendum on the Constitutional Assembly.[97] On 23 April, the Constitutional Tribunal decided to try to reinstate 51 of the 57 Congressmen who had been fired by the Electoral Tribunal. The Constitutional Tribunal claimed that it was illegal to remove them in the first place, and approved a petition by the 51 requesting their reinstatement.[98] But before the congressmen had the chance to reenter Congress, Congress voted to fire all nine judges of the Constitutional Tribunal for their "unconstitutional actions".[99]
On 15 April 2007, Ecuadorians voted overwhelmingly (81.72% in favor) to support the election of a constituent assembly.[100]
On 30 September 2007, due to the extraordinarily large number of candidates and lists (26 national lists, 428 provincial lists, 44 emigrant lists) the Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly election, 2007 was the most complex in Ecuador's history.[101] As a result in the national election, President Correa won backing for his plans to rewrite Ecuador's constitution and expand state control of the nation's economy. Correa's faction won approximately 61% of the seats in the National Assembly (80 of 130 Assembly Members).[102]
The Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly first convened on 29 November 2007 in Montecristi, and was given six months to write a new constitution, with a possible two-month extension. In June 2008, the president of the CA, Alberto Acosta, resigned due to his opposition to speeding up the debate on the remaining articles to meet the deadline of 26 July 2008. He was replaced by Fernando Cordero Cueva on 24 June 2008.[103] When Ecuador began the process of writing a new constitution, they received help from the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund to draft environmental laws giving nature and ecosystems rights.[104] [105][106][107]
In late July 2008, the assembly approved a draft constitution with 494 articles.[108]
A constitutional referendum was held in Ecuador on 28 September 2008 to ratify or reject the constitution drafted by the Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly elected in 2007.[109] Partial results show that 64% of voters voted to approve the 2008 Constitution of Ecuador.[110]
Correa, paraphrasing Tony Blair, stated that the Ecuadorian press acted as "a group of wild beasts". He has also regularly criticized it as "...mediocre, incompetent, inaccurate, lying and is a part of the structure of corruption and accomplice of the national disaster."[111][112][113]
Correa has criticized several newspapers as El Universo, El Comercio, Diario Hoy, Diario Expreso, La Hora, it qualified them of "informative mafias", for their criticism the decision of the Electoral Tribunal that deprived 57 legislators of the opposition. Correa argued that the press has remained silent before the holdups that have happened in government enterprises like Pacifictel, and the Corporation Ecuadorian Aduanera (CAE).[114][115][116]
On 19 May 2007, during the Enlace Ciudadano called by Correa to talk about freedom of speech, he ordered that security eject the opinion editor of the Guayaquil-based El Universo newspaper, whom he had invited to the event after ten minutes of dialogue. Correa ordered him to be ejected after a tense exchange where Correa warned the journalist not to mention his family.[117]
Correa declared that he would not hesitate to revoke the license of "coup instigating" media stations following the example of Hugo Chávez when he took RCTV off the air.[118]
On 10 May 2007, Correa filed a lawsuit against Francisco Vivanco Riofrío of the board of directors of the Quito-based La Hora newspaper, over an editorial published in the paper on 9 March. The editorial, titled "Official Vandalism," said that Correa intended to rule Ecuador "with turmoil, rocks and sticks". It described the president's behavior as "shameful."[119]
Correa's suit is based on Article 230 of the country's penal code that sets prison penalties of up to two years for contempt, expressed in "threats or libel that would offend the president."[120]
Francisco Vivanco Riofrío has declared that he will not apologize for the editorial and that he is prepared to face the lawsuit. He has also declared that "that editorial reflects our thoughts and we will defend not only our right to manifest our opinions but also the opinions of all citizens, as we have done during the 25 years of our newspaper's existence."[121]
In connection with Correa's complaint against La Hora, the Ecuadorian Association of Newspaper Publishers (AEDEP), has shown its support for that newspaper and declared that "no contemporary Ecuadorian politician has employed such legal figure (contempt) as an instrument to frighten the press."[122] Counter media has pointed that Politicians, Leon Febres Cordero, and Jaime Nebot suppressed numerous medias in the 90's, however this was never denounced by El Universo, as an act against freedom of speech.
The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) has declared that it is "a clumsy step on the part of the Ecuadorean president to file a criminal charge against a news outlet, accusing it of contempt, an archaic concept in a modern democracy and outmoded in Latin America and which should be eliminated from penal codes, as the IAPA has been insisting."[123] The Committee to Protect Journalists has also protested against the lawsuit: "Fear of criminal penalties will inhibit the Ecuadoran press in reporting and commenting on issues of public interest. We call on President Correa to drop the libel suit against Vivanco and repeal defamation laws that contradict international standards on freedom of expression."[124] The World Press Freedom Committee has declared that "it is clear that this attempt to silence the Ecuadorian press goes against very basic freedom of the press tenets, as consecrated in at least two of the most important international human right charts."[125]
Correa has constantly denounced what he views as the political activism of the major Ecuadorian television channels. He has also denounced the fact that they are owned by business groups who own banks related to the financial crisis of 1999, where millions of state dollars were given to rescue them while these left thousands of people without their life savings. In mid-2008, the Correa government expropriated Gamavision and TC television channels along with another hundred firms, because they were property of the Isaías. This group owned Filanbanco, a bank involved in the crisis of 1999. Currently these channels are owned by the state and have been defined as assets before calling an auction to sell them. Correa hopes that the stations' own workers gather together to buy each channel.[citation needed]
Correa decided to create Ecuador TV, the first state-owned channel in the country, with the announced intention of producing television with better quality standards than the private channels. Also newspaper El Telegrafo became state owned. They were also created: Radio Pública, El Ciudadano, ANDES and PP,which are administered by state instances.[126][127]
The President has affirmed that his is a "green" Government for its defense of the environment."[128] In this line, he has decided to return to the Commission International Whaler to impede the reboot in the hunt of these mammals;[129] it has established a prohibition to the extraction of beautiful wood;[130] and he has announced that for a compensation of 350 millions of annual dollars of the international community it would give up the exploitation of an oil field with around 1000 million barrels, one of their biggest reservations of petroleum,[131][132] located in a reservation of the well-known biosphere as the National Park Yasuní,[133] in the Amazon Basin. The proposal hopes to collect contributions starting from 2010.
Correa announced that it will allow the export of shark fins, in case the sharks are captured accidentally. Several organizations environmentalists, as a sector of Ecological Action, Black Shepherd and Global Activism criticized this decision strongly.
In 2013 Ecuador announced that it will auction more than three million hectares of Amazonian rainforest to Chinese oil companies. The indigenous people inhabiting the land protested the deal. They claim that the oil projects would threaten their traditional way of life and devastate the area's environment. Ecuador's Shuar people's women's leader, Narcisa Mashienta, said that the government lied when claiming that the people would have given their consent.[134]
The NGO Amazon Watch claims that the reason for the projects is the governments 7 billion dollar debt to China and the desire to get Chinese funding to build a 12,5 billion dollar oil refinery.[134]
The 11,000-barrel oil spill to Amazon was considered problematic to Correa's desire to win a third term, because he had tried to assure his critics of him being environment-friendly.[135]
Yasuní-ITT Initiative, The aim of the initiative is to provide a creative solution for the threat posed by the extraction of crude oil in the Ishpingo-Tiputini-Tambococha (ITT) oil fields, which are located in the highly vulnerable area of Yasuní National Park. The proposal would contribute to preserving biodiversity, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and their way of life.[citation needed]
President Correa has stated that Ecuador's first option is to maintain the crude oil in the subsoil. The national and international communities would be called on to help the government implement this costly decision for the country. The government hopes to recover 50% of the revenues it would obtain by extracting the oil. The procedure involves the issuing of government bonds for the crude oil that will remain "in situ," with the double commitment of never extracting this oil and of protecting Yasuní National Park. If Ecuador succeeds in receiving the hoped for-amount – estimated at 350 million dollars annually [136] – it would only be for a period of ten years beginning after the sixth year, since production, and thus potential revenues, would progressively decline after those ten years.[citation needed]
A more promising alternative[original research?][not in citation given] would be a strategy to provide the government with the 50% of resources in such a way as to provide a consistent income for an indefinite period of time. This resource would be channeled towards activities that help to free the country from its dependency on exports and imports and to consolidate food sovereignty.[137]
In August 2013, Correa abandoned the initiative and approved oil drilling, blaming lack of support from the international community for the decision.[138]
Correa overturned a ban on the sale of shark fins, which are popular in Asia, but stipulated that the fins can only be sold if the sharks are caught accidentally and by artisan fishermen. He did not say how authorities would determine whether the shark had been caught accidentally or deliberately.[139]
On 3 August 2007, Correa ordered the deportation of Sean O'Hearn-Gimenez, director of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, saying that he would not allow "gringuitos" (literally, "little gringos") to tell Ecuadorians what to do or to pursue local fishermen. However, a local newspaper noted that O'Hearn-Gimenez had signed a 5-year agreement with Ecuador's own Environmental Police rather than acting unilaterally (as a foreigner with no authority of his own), and was married to an Ecuadorian.[140] The deportation was ordered because Sea Shepherd, in partnership with the Ecuadorian National Environmental Police, exposed and stopped the biggest shark-fin shipment in the port city of Manta.[141] Correa later rescinded the extradition order because O'Hearn-Gimenez was married to an Ecuadorian woman. All the arrested fishermen were released, too, and the confiscated shark fins returned to them.[142]
Correa's administration began following through on 15 January 2007 with two of his primary campaign promises. The convocation of the populace, allowing the people to determine the constituents of their National Assembly. The other being a proposal that called for a 50% reduction in salary for the higher earning positions of the state{19}, beginning with the president himself who's salary was reduced to $4,250 dollars per mo or 25x the minimum wage. By comparison, Officials of the judiciary are paid $5,000 /mo.
The President has also sought to correct the gender balance in politics. In the beginning of his administration 40% of his cabinet positions were occupied by women.
His administration has also expressly prohibited officials and public employees from receiving gifts or bribes for their work.
The candidates of the Alianza PAIS to the Constituent Assembly have participated in official events, such as the inauguration of the hydroelectric power station San Francisco (Alberto Acosta), and beginning construction of the headquarters for the Constituent Assembly (Trajano Andrade). These were carried out by the Secretaries of Energy, Transport and Public Works respectively, previous to the elections.[143]
According to the Office of Press of the Presidency, the Government's realizations in the first weeks of activity were the increment in a 15%44 of the social investment of the State,[144] the committed duplication of the Voucher of Human Development,[145] dedicated to helping families with less economic resources and in situation of poverty; as well as an increment of 100% in the voucher of housing to facilitate the construction,[146] buying and rehabilitation for housing the financially disadvantaged. The Government has also begun to distribute medications free of charge.[147]
Their government has put special emphasis in developing the energy system. During their period, the construction of the Hydroelectric of Mazar culminated that takes advantage of the flow of the river it Averages that you dilute up it is used in it dams it well known as Amaluza. it was also awarded the construction of the project Coca Codo Sinclair, the most ambitious hydroelectric project in the history of the Ecuador. Is also projected the construction of it dams it of the rivers Toachi and Pilatón. During November 2009, Ecuador should ration energy, in view of a deficit that was overcome after the installation of thermal generators. Is projected the growth of the capacity of generation of the Ecuador, country that he/she will stop to depend on the energy that Colombia or Peru consent to sell him.
Correa declared an emergency situation after the eruption of Tungurahua. Correa dedicated substantial economic resources to the counties affected by the eruption of the volcano.
One of the most serious problems that Correa's Government has faced has been the inability to lower the criminal indexes significantly. To this end, the police were equipped with weapons, and a weapons control plan was instituted.[148]
In June and July 2007 in several communities of the Amazonía and domestic South, protests were carried out against oil and mining concessions to transnational companies (PetroChina, PetroBras and mining Canadian). According to some media, the Government repressed abusing from the force to these mobilizations.[149]
Correa proposed the Plan Ecuador, which according to him emphasizes development, justice and peace to the militarism proposed by the Plan Colombia, financed by the United States.[150]
Rafael Correa was re-elected for a second term in general election in 26 April 2009. It was the first time in thirty years that the country had re-elected a president and the first elected president from Guayaquil (The coast) who could finished his term after Leon Febres Cordero (1984–1986).[151] He won by a large margin over the other seven candidates, taking 52 per cent of the vote to the 28 per cent of Lucio Gutiérrez, his nearest rival. His party also won the largest legislative block in the National Assembly, although not a majority.[2]
Correa was sworn into the Presidency on 10 August 2009, the same day as Ecuador's bicentennial.[152][153] His speech took place in front of several South American dignitaries, such as the president of Argentina Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Bolivian President Evo Morales, Cuban President Raúl Castro, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.[152] Correa used the opportunity to promise a continuation of his "socialist revolution", his plans to end poverty and to go on "stamping out the structural causes of poverty".[152] He also said the actions of the media were opposing his government.[153] He claims that the continuation of his "The Citizens' Revolution" policy is intended to ensure all citizens are equal.[151]
In June 2009, CONARTEL (a radio and television regulating body) imposed fines on a television station, Teleamazonas, . A third fine could lead to a temporary or permanent ban on this private television channel. In December 2009, the station was taken off the air by the Superintendent of Telecommunications [es], under a provisional suspension of 72 hours for purportedly "spreading false information."[154]
Beginning 5 November, rolling blackouts took place across Ecuador for two to six hours per day.[155] Government officials also urged citizens to conserve energy.[156] Economic losses from the blackouts are estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars; factory output slowed, and storage of perishables was disrupted.[156][157]
On 6 November, the government declared an emergency in the power sector, which was expected to "allow the Finance Ministry to seek to guarantee fuel imports for thermoelectric plants".[155] The government also agreed to purchase an additional 5,200 MW per hour of electricity from Peru and Colombia.[158] Government officials aimed to end power rationing before Christmas.[158]
The power crisis led to criticism of the Correa administration's management of the power sector as water levels of the reservoirs became depleted.[157]
In January, Ecuador was shaken by mass protests against large-scale mining. Indigenous people were demanding that they not be exploited at all and were blockading highways to make their point. Correa cited a constitutional article that prohibited the blocking of roads.[159] President Rafael Correa responded by calling the protesters "nobodies" and "extremists."[citation needed] The government detained a number of protest leaders, charging some of them with terrorism.[citation needed] Police officers were also injured in attempting to clear blockades.[160] Eye Witnesses leader claimed "The response from the government was gunfire from the ground and the air," The leader said that police, backed by a helicopter, opened fire on the protesters unprovoked.[161] In an interview with the state-run media on Thursday, Correa said that the police were not armed and had only riot gear to protect them from demonstrators who were wielding shotguns. The Shuar man that died was killed by protesters' own weapons, and police were also injured by the same shotgun pellets that killed the brother Shuar, Correa said.[161]
Correa announced that on Monday 26 July 2010 Ecuador would enact reforms to a hydrocarbons law that aims to expropriate foreign-company operations unless they sign service contracts increasing state control of the industry. Correa reminded oil companies that if they did not abide by the state's policies, they would have their fields nationalized and would be forced from the country.[162]
A debate to modify this and other reforms, specially the one which granted control of the Higher Education System by the government, was practically passed with consensus by the multi-partisan National Assembly on 4 August 2010 but vetoed by the president Rafael Correa,[163] who wanted to keep the law strictly as it was originally redacted by his political party and SENPLADES (National Secretary of Planning and Development). Due to this change, there are many highly educated professionals and academicians under the old structure but estimated that only 87% of the faculty in public universities have already obtained a master's degree and fewer than 5% have PhD (although many of them have already Ecuadorian granted Doctorate degrees).[164] In order to raise the number of Masters and PhDs the Government started a scholarship program to send Ecuadorians to study in the top ranking Universities around the world (around 8.500 scholarships until 2013)[165] and around 820 more have been approved for 2014.
On 30 September 2010, the National Police went on strike over the passage of a bill that would end the practice of giving medals and bonuses with each promotion.[166] In what was called an attempted coup d'état, protests included road blockades, storming the National Assembly and state-run television station, and the military seizure of the Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito.[167][168][169][170] President Correa went to debate with the rebellious police, but he was unsuccessful and instead challenged them to kill him, saying, "I'm not taking one step back. Gentleman, if you want to kill the president, here he is, kill him if you have the guts."[166] The police responded by attacking him and taking him hostage. While held in the hospital inside the police headquarters, Correa declared a national state of emergency.[166][171] That night, an elite army unit rescued him from the hospital amid violent clashes between the police and the army.[172] The Army then took him to Carondelet Palace, where he announced he would not pardon those responsible.[173][174] Throughout Ecuador, eight people were killed and 274 wounded in the unrest.[175]
On the same night, eight South American presidents attended an emergency summit of UNASUR convened that night in Buenos Aires[176] to express their full support for Ecuadorean democratic institutions and Rafael Correa.[177] The summit also announced a "democratic clause" to the UNASUR Constitutive Treaty and an agreement to take immediate and concrete steps if further similar attempts should occur.[177]
The United States declared support for Correa through its ambassador to the Organization of American States. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed "full support for President Rafael Correa, and the institutions of democratic government in that country." On 5 October, Ecuadorian foreign minister Ricardo Patiño said "I firmly believe that Mr. Obama had nothing to do with this. I hope, and trust that neither his (immediate subordinates) did.[178]
Correa was a signatory to the The UNASUR Constitutive Treaty of the Union of South American Nations on 15 July 2009.[179] Ecuador has ratified the treaty.
On 10 August 2009 Correa hosted the Heads of Government of South America in Quito, as he took over the one year Pro Tempore Presidency of UNASUR.[180][181] Correa announced on 3 April 2010 that he would propose to UNASUR the creation of a united front against transnationals like the US company Chevron, which he accused of attempting to destroy his country.[182]
Correa also asked that UNASUR create a commission to investigate the events that led to the 30 Sep police revolt in Ecuador in which about a dozen people died and 270 were wounded. The uprising was led by police upset over a new law that would deny them promotion bonuses.
During Friday's summit, leaders also approved a democratic charter that would serve as a guide for the 12-nation bloc if any of them faced an attempted coup. The charter would have been an effective tool during Ecuador's revolt, Correa said. On 29 November 2010, UNASUR's presidency passed from Ecuador to Guyana.[183]
Correa announced another lawsuit this time against an editorial writer and the directors of El Universo newspaper. The legal action included the opinion editor of the paper, Emilio Palacio, who was sued for defamation by a high-ranking public official last year. Correa alleged that several of Palacio's editorials were "accusations" and "slander", where Palacio stated "...ordered fire at will and without warning against a hospital full of civilians and innocent people..."[184] In an official Universo editorial it was explicitly said that he committed crimes against humanity reasons for which Mr Palacio was sued. El Universo says the president's suit was announced several hours after the newspaper published an article about an information access request denial. While Palacio claimed, he was sued for calling Correa a "Dictator".[185]
"We are not only suing the editorial writer, but also the newspaper El Universo's directors," said Correa, in a radio interview on Ecuadorinmediato, quoted by El Universo. "Ecuador's autocrat cracks down on media freedom."[186] According to an editorial published by The Washington Post on 27 July 2011:
Last week the president personally attended the trial while thuggish supporters threw eggs and bottles at the defendants outside the courthouse. To no one's surprise, the provisional judge hearing the case quickly ruled in the president's favor, sentencing Mr. Palacio and the three El Universo directors to three years in prison and awarding $40 million in damages to Mr. Correa – an amount that exceeds the total value of the newspaper.[187]
As of 16 February 2012, the National Court of Justice (Ecuador's highest court) confirmed the lower court's award of $40 million in damages, as well as the three-year prison sentences against a journalist and three executives of the newspaper.[188] The case related to unrest in September 2010, described by Mr Correa as an attempted coup, which saw him trapped inside a hospital for several hours by police officers. In an opinion article from February 2011 which appeared in El Universo, Emilio Palacio alleged that the president had ordered soldiers to fire on the hospital, which was full of civilians.[189]
Correa also filed a lawsuit against Juan Carlos Calderón and Christian Zurita, investigative journalists and authors of the book "Gran Hermano" (Big Brother). Rafael Correa insisted that if the authors of the book admitted wrongdoing and asked for forgiveness he would pardon them.[190] The lawsuit is based on the book's accusation that Correa knew of his brother Fabricio Correa's multi million dollar contracts with the government, a journalistic "investigation" into contracts signed between the president's brother, Fabricio Correa, and the State.[191][192] The authors claim was based on a testimony by Pablo Chambers, who based his accusation on a manipulated video of Correa during an interview with a radio station in Quito.[193]
Following wide condemnation of the sentences in the El Universo case,[citation needed] Correa announced on 27 February 2012 that he would pardon the four individuals involved, also reminding that from the very beginning he asked for a rectification by the newspaper or an apology,[194] both which the newspaper refused, instead claiming this was censorship,[195][196] including asking Correa what he wanted them to publish.[197] He also said he would drop his case against the authors of "Gran Hermano".[198]
Correa has been accused, in the words of the President of the Inter-American Press Association, of mounting a "systematic and hostile campaign to do away with the independent press and establish, by law or through the courts, ownership of the truth that all the Ecuadoran people must swallow."[187] These complaints relate both to a series of lawsuits against journalists and to government takeovers of many media outlets.
The Washington Post reported in July 2011 that, according to a report for the National Endowment for Democracy, the government had controlled one radio station when Mr. Correa became president in 2007, but that by the time of the report it owned five television channels, four radio stations, two newspapers and four magazines.[187]
Correa announced a constitutional referendum, which took place on 7 May 2011. The Ecuadorian people were asked to vote on ten questions, including a reform of the judiciary. Despite opposition members denouncing what they call a "power grab" on behalf of Correa's government.[199] Although an Exit poll driven by the "Santiago Perez" pollster showed that the 10 questions won with the 62% of the votes,[200] as the count continued the "yes" lost presence even going as far as slightly losing to the "no" for a short period of time in questions 4 and 9. Correa pledged that the data had been manipulated by counting first the votes from the provinces where the "no" have won to create the "sensation of fraud" and he predicted that the "yes" will win with at least 250.000 votes on all 10 questions.[201] At the end the "yes" won all 10 questions but only the first question got more than the 50% of the votes. [202][203][204] This was the eight election to pass during Correa's term in office.[205]
In 2010 and 2011, Ecuador received Chinese credits for around US$5 billion. One of this financing model's projects is the hydroelectric Coca Codo Sinclair that the Asian giant builds and it finances with something more than US$2 billion.[206]
Correa pointed out that that nation gives credits to Ecuador to 7.0 percent, but it is to finance projects with 23 or 25 percent of profitability, that which is extremely good business, when referring to two thousand million dollars that will be dedicated to public investment initiatives, sustained that it is a "good business" to obtain credits with interests of 7 percent to finance projects with a profitability that it goes from the 23 to 25 percent.[207] Correa discarded that the Ecuador is delivered to or have mortgaged its petroleum to China.
On this point he mentioned that in the 2006 75% of the Ecuadorian petroleum went to United States, in exchange for nothing. "Now we have 50% of the committed petroleum with China, in exchange for thousands of millions of dollars to finance the development of this country.[208]
After the results of the popular consultation[209] was created the Council of the Transitory Judicature integrated by three members Tania Aryans (delegate of the Legislative), Paulo Rodríguez (delegate of the Executive) and Fernando Yávar (delegate of the Function of Transparency).[210] This advice has 18 months to restructure the Judicial Function Among its functions it was the one of creating the new National Court of Justice whose possession was given January 2012,[211] 21 whose members will be in the positions for nine years.[212] The court of justice was created through a competition of merits and opposition. Correa who participated of the act of possession of the new domestic magistrates,[213] said that the administration of justice is an imperium of the state and at the same time, it is a public service, also it expressed his total back to the new judges of the National Court of Justice (CNJ)[214]
Ecuador's largest advocacy group for Indians, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, planned a two-week march to Quito beginning on Thursday to protest Correa's land and water policies that they say were hurting their way of life. Correa condemned the action and accused them of being hypocrites for having allied with the extreme right,[215] of seeking to exploit mining for themselves[216] and of trying to destabilize his government, urging his followers to mobilize against them. The Indians were supported by the Popular Democratic Movement, a leftist party, the National Union of Educators and CONAIE, which supported Correa at the start of his administration in 2007 but soon moved to the opposition.[217]
The support march on the Government concentrated on thousands of demonstrators coming from different zones that met in a park where they enjoyed artistic shows put on to celebrate the Woman's International Day.[218] The march began in an Amazon region to the southeast and it arrived in Quito on 22 March. It had the support of the teachers' organizations and students.
Correa declared that the protests were intended to destabilize his government and he encouraged his followers "to keep mobilized until March 22"... "to resist peacefully. Those in favor of the Government also announced countermarches in various localities,[219] such as in Cuenca where they had a concentration that gathered around fifteen thousand people.[220]
The achievement of 2006[221] and 2007[222] campaign offers is shown in the next table:
Offer | Offer detail | Achievement | Achievement detail |
Health | To increase the health budget. To massively produce and distribute medicine. To create preventive health campaigns. To increase the number of public doctors and nurses. To implement mobile medical brigades. | ✓ Done | The health budget was $561 million in 2006 and was increased to $1774 million in 2012, which is 6.8% of the national budget.[223][224][225][226] The Ecuadorian government signed an agreement with the Cuban government to allow public company Enfarma to massively produce medicine at low cost.[227][228] Working hours for doctors were increased to 40 hours/week and their salaries were also increased.[229] Mobile hospitals have been implemented.[230] Another program has been implemented in order to increase the rate of return of medics amongst Ecuadorian emigrants.[231] |
Education | To increase the education budget to 6% of the GDP. To coordinate free basic education with public health, nutrition and production programs. To train functionaries and teachers. To implement a national literacy program. | ✓ Done | The education budget increased from 2.5% of GDP in 2006 to 6% of GDP in 2013.[232][233] Students around the country have received medical and nutritional attention in addition to free uniforms and lunch.[234][235][236] Literacy programs have been implemented[237] and public functionaries and teachers have been trained.[238][239] |
Housing | To increase the housing grant from $1800 to $3600 for houses priced below $20, 000. | ✓ Done | Housing grant increased to $3600 in 2007; in 2008, it increased again to $5000;[240] for returning immigrants the housing grant is $7000[241] and $6000 for people with disability. The maximum price of the houses in order to receive the grant has also been increased to $60, 000. Up to 2011, 205, 000 families have been benefited with a total amount of $750 million.[242] The total investment is about $900 millions.[243] |
Employment | To implement a fund of $300 millions for five-year term micro-credits of $5,000 with 5% of interest in order to benefit 60, 000 people. | ✓ Done | Foment's National Bank BNF, from April 2007 to July 2008 has given around 140 million US Dollars in microcredits through the 5-5-5 program.[244][245] During 2009 and 2010 the amount given for credits reached $33 and $40 millions respectively.[246] For 2011 BNF indicates that it has given around $43 millions in credits.[247][248] For the first quarter of 2012 $12 millions have been delivered in credits.[249][250] The 5-5-5 Program has been established as a permanent product in the credit offer of BNF.[251] |
Political reform | To call elections to create a constituent assembly in order to create a new constitution. To elect congressmen based on districts. Implementation of "cross death" where the congressmen or the president can call elections, just for once, after the first year of government. | ✓ Done | Ecuador's Constitutional Referendum of 2008 approved a new constitution replacing the 1998 constitution. In 2008, as stated in the new constitution, the Council for Citizen Participation and Social Control was created, which designates the main authorities as the State Attorney General Office, Superintendents, Ombudsman Office, Public Defender Office, State Prosecutor General Office, State Comptroller General Office; members of National Electoral Council, Electoral Contentious Court and Judicial Council. The Cross Death mechanism was instituted which allows for a single dissolution of the National Assembly (formerly Congress). |
External Debt | To limit the external debt payment to 3% of the GDP (It was at 6%). To renegotiate the debt or look for remission agreements through exchange mechanisms (e.g. ecological protection funds to protect forests, Galapagos islands, etc.) | ✓ Done | External debt servicing to GDP in 2011, was 2.24%.[252] External debt was renegotiated to reduce the share capital by $2 billion,[253][254] if the interest is taken into account that the profit would have generated amounts to more than $7 billion.[255] Through projects such as the Yasuní-ITT Initiative, Ecuador sought to obtain $3,600 million from the international community.[256] Countries have studied and made debt swaps to support the initiative.[257][258][259] |
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) | To not sign the Free Trade Agreement FTA with the U.S.A. To extend the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act ATPDEA. To intensify integration with Latin American countries. To reduce the use of local or extra-regional currency for exchange and, instead, implement a regional currency. | ✓ Done | Ecuador has insisted that it will not sign an FTA with the United States, or the European Union or, even if it agrees with the signing of trade agreements.[260][261] It has managed to extend ATPDEA preferential tariffs up to 2013.[262] As a step towards regional and currency integration it has made use of SUCRE in trade relations with countries within the region.[263] |
OIL | To make Petroecuador a limited company and strengthen it in order to compete with private oil companies. To apply the current hydrocarbons law in order to not renegotiate oil contracts. To develop big extraction projects such as the ITT and the south-east areas of the country. To build new refineries. | ✓ Done/partial | In April 2010, Rafael Correa recreated Petroamazonas and Petroecuador as limited companies, with their own funding and budgetary, financial, economic, administrative and management autonomy, but not as a public company.[264] He increased investment in 2009 alone by $618 million reaching nearly $1.7 billion in investment.[265] The approval of the new law on hydrocarbons resulted in renegotiated oil contracts with 17 companies to enforce the law, he concluded the renegotiation with the departure of seven companies from the country.[266][267] The projects in ITT were suspended by the Yasuní-ITT Initiative and others were developed such as Pañacocha in 2010.[268] In 2008 he began the construction of the Refinería del Pacífico (Pacific Refinery) together with Venezuela and its operations were scheduled to start in 2013.[269] |
Social security | To unify the social security systems, grouping the current systems (civil, police, Navy, Army, etc.). To develop a computer system in order to allow the crossing of accounts between systems and increase coverage to 100% of the population. To increase the salary for pensioners. To pay the historic 23-year $888 million debt with the Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security (IESS). | ✓ Done/partial | Institutions such as the Instituto de Servicio Social de las Fuerzas Armadas (ISSFA) (the army's social security agency) and the El Instituto de Seguridad Social de la Policía Nacional (ISSPOL) have not been unified to IESS, neither have there been reforms of the social security law of the Armed Forces and Police. There are still discrepancies for former members with respect to civilians.[270] Although insurance coverage is not 100%, universal insurance has had a big push to reform the law to include benefits to spouses and children under 18 years in addition to increasing pensions for retirees.[271] The $888 million debt held for 23 years with the IESS was totally canceled in 2008, transforming the IESS into the institution with the largest portfolio in the country at the moment.[272] |
Public safety | To separate the functions of the police into four areas: narcotics, border, transit and public safety. To increase salaries and to improve the training of police staff. To develop reemployment programs in order to rehabilitate criminals. To create a public safety ministry. | ✓ Done/ partial | After the events of 30 September 2010 the restructuring of the National Police was accelerated but not in the areas proposed.[273] The National Police and Armed Forces received a significant increase in their salaries in 2010 and 2012.[274][275][276][277] Inmates have access to higher education for free[278] and the need to present a certificate of arrests to aspire to a public or private office has been removed.[279] |
Taxes | To decrease the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 12% to 10%. To restructure the Internal Revenue Service SRI in order to improve tax collection. | ✓ Done/partial | The VAT has not been reduced by any amount, but for some consumer goods and persons it is reintegrated or returned. [280] The SRI (Ecuador's Internal Revenue Service) has significantly improved tax collection. In 2010 it raised nearly double the amount collected in 2006 by the Lucio Gutierrez government representing more in the 4-year period than the 8 years combined.[281] |
International Relations | To resume control of the military base of Manta (Manta Air Base), the only US air base in South America, which was leased rent-free for 10 years. | ✓ Done | After failing to renew the agreement with the United States, the Ecuadorian government assumed control of the base and took measures against drug trafficking.[282] With respect to the Plan Colombia, Ecuador has refused to be part of it[283] and does not recognize the FARC as terrorists.[284] |
Human Development Grant | To double the human development grant from $15 to $30 using the money gained from the limitation of the external debt payments and the renegotiation of contracts with private oil companies. | ✓ Done | On 30 January 2007—15 days after taking office, the Rafael Correa government increased the grant to $30 for mothers from poor families, the elderly and the disabled, which at that time benefited more than 1.2 million people.[285] In August 2009 it was increased to $35 benefiting 1.5 million people.[286][287] In January 2013, It increased to $50 |
General elections were held in Ecuador on 17 February 2013 to elect the President, the National Assembly, Provincial Assemblies and members of the Andean Parliament. Correa was reelected president, winning by a large margin in the first round of the presidential election.[288] According to the quick count released by Participación Ciudadana, Alianza PAIS movement (AP) reaches two-thirds of the new National Assembly. The new results give the movement 100 of the 137 seats contested in the polls.[289] Correa's closest electoral rival, Guillermo Lasso (with 11 of the 137 seats in the new National Assembly), conceded shortly after the election concluded. Based on the election results, Correa will remain president until the year 2017.
The Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Society won the WSIS 2013 prize in category C5: Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs with the project Digital Training through Mobile Classrooms[290]
In June 2013, US Senator Robert Menendez, chairman of the foreign relations panel, warned Ecuador that accepting PRISM leaker Edward Snowden "would severely jeopardize" preferential trade access the United States provides to Ecuador. "Our government will not reward countries for bad behavior."[291]
President Rafael Correa of Ecuador responded by offering a multi-million dollar donation for human rights training in the United States. "Ecuador offers the United States economic aid of US$23 million annually, similar to what we received with the trade benefits, with the intention of providing education about human rights," said a government spokesman. "Ecuador does not accept pressure or threats from anyone, nor does it trade with principles or submit them to mercantile interests, however important those may be."[292]
Ecuador, which had originally offered Snowden a temporary travel document, withdrew it because it did not meet the requirements of being in an Ecuadorian Embassy by that time.[293] President Correa said the decision to issue it was "a mistake".[294]
According to the Cedatos, Correa began his presidency with a 73 percent approval rating.[295] An opinion poll carried out by Profiles of Opinion in the cities of Quito and Guayaquil, in March 2012 indicates that 80.5% of those interviewed categorize President Correa's administration as positive.[296] According to the Mitofsky of April 2012, as regards the "approval of leaders in America and the world", President Correa possesses an excellent evaluation.[297] His popularity even increased from 75% to 81% from August 2011 to January 2012.[298] According to the Mitofsky of April 2013, as regards the "approval of leaders in America and the world", President Correa possesses an excellent evaluation of 90%.[299]
Award or decoration | Country | Date | Place | Note | Ref | |
Grand Collar of the Order of the Liberator | Venezuela | 11 October 2007 | Caracas | Former Venezuelan highest distinction. | [300] | |
Collar of the Order of the Liberator General San Martín | Argentina | 21 April 2008 | Quito | Argentinian highest decoration. | [301] | |
Grand Cross of the Order of Francisco Morazán | Honduras | 31 May 2009 | Tegucigalpa | [302] | ||
Grand Collar of the Order of the Sun | Peru | 9 June 2010 | Lima | Peruvian highest award. | [303] | |
Order of Augusto César Sandino | Nicaragua | 15 November 2010 | Quito | Highest honour of the Republic of Nicaragua. | [304] |
Rafael Correa has been also awarded with:
Conquering Insignia of Tarqui in the Grade of Grand Cross of the Armed forces of Ecuador in gratitude for the administration carried out for the benefit of the soldiers of the Homeland.[305] Order Great Marshal of Ayacucho of Venezuela for the bolivarian character of his administration in Ecuador, February 2009.[306] Medal of Honor in the Grade of Grand Cross, highest honour of the Congress of Peru, 12 June 2010.[307] Great Necklace of the Ecuadorian Federation of Soccer in November 2010 in gratitude for the expedition of the Law of the Sport.[308] Medal of "Distinguished Visitor", by the UCSG in the inauguration of the III International University Congress, Development and Cooperation.[309] Highest honour on the part of the Association of retired Generals of the National Police to have brought about the approval of pensions to almost 20,000 former uniformed officers.[310]
Also, in April 2010 he received the Prize for Exceptional Academic Achievement 2009 of the University of Illinois.[319] On 3 December 2010, the UBA Cultural Center of Buenos Aires gave him the Faces and Masks Democracy Prize.[320]
(help)El nuevo presidente ecuatoriano, el socialista Rafael Correa, incrementó el martes de 15 a 30 dólares un bono mensual de asistencia social que beneficia a cerca de 1,2 millones de pobres, informó el gobierno. (The new Ecuadorian President, Socialist Rafael Correa, on Monday increased from 15 to 30 dollars the monthly social grant which benefits 1.2 million poor, informed the government.)
El presidente de Ecuador, Rafael Correa, firmó el día 21 un decreto para aumentar de 30 a 35 dólares mensuales la entrega del Bono de Desarrollo Humano que pretende beneficiar a más de 1,5 millones personas de escasos recursos. (The president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, signed a decree on the 21st to increase from 30 to 35 dollars monthly the Bono de Desarrollo Humano which is expected to benefit more than 1.5 million persons with limited resources.)
Como es de conocimiento público, a partir de agosto el Bono de Desarrollo Humano se incrementó de 30 a 35 dólares. Con este aumento también se conoció los resultados del Registro Social que sirvió para definir la nueva lista de beneficiarios del BDH. (It is public knowledge that, from August, the Bono de Desarrollo Humano, was increased from 30 to 35 dollars. With this increase the results of the Social Register, which serves to specify the new list of beneficiaries of the BDH, was also revealed.)
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Mauricio Yépez | Minister of Finance 2005 | Succeeded by Magdalena Barreiro |
Preceded by Alfredo Palacio | President of Ecuador 2007–present | Incumbent |
Party political offices | ||
New office | Chairman of the PAIS Alliance 2006–present | Incumbent |
Diplomatic posts | ||
Preceded by Michelle Bachelet | President pro tempore of the Union of South American Nations 2009–2010 | Succeeded by Bharrat Jagdeo |


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Porno movie portal » Nayak telugu movie-DVDRip avi dubbed hindi |
Nayak telugu movie-DVDRip avi dubbed hindiSex Junkie part 4I know that we attracted attention from the other paramours who were out there that night. I was making sufficiently noise that if they'd taped me they could have dubbed a porno film very successfully just with my groans and lusty screams.
There was even some applause after Kevin and I had our 1st orgasms and where lying there panting side by side. Lascivious Son Copulates Lascivious Mommy part 5'My enjoyable mumma!!!'
Mommy: hmm' This day u show lot of love to your mommy han??? Me: i always do mommy from c***dhood. U know it na!!!! Mommy: okay. Leave me now & let me do snacks for your s*s. I afresh sit on chair & ask her humorous questions how this babe drinks? & how much. And about her youthful age' This babe likewise responded very much with smile'I showed her my cell'How to operate it & showed her some Hindi songs. Sex at the opticals shopHi , I'm Tarun from Bangalore. I'm 28 years old and smart looking. I'm working at a reputed company. Although I'm from Karnataka, people confuse me for a north Indian and many times begin speaking in Hindi. This is my 1st story so please forgive me for the mistakes. Any unsatisfied ladies from Bangalore can mail me at [email protected]
Coming to the story which happened a not many years back is about having sex with the optical showroom lady named Meena. Lewd exgirlfriend Sarah is flauting it all aga part 7This babe stood up and tried to stop the cum from running all down her body as this babe went out to the bath.
I quickly turned the movie camera off. Sex tape? Well, type of one. Yep, we did make a sex tape some other time. A proper one. But that's a story for a different time. So, Chris, Sarah's fresh boyfriend, what do u think of her now. Stacey's Mommy part 5Frustrated by his failure to elicit any protest, Jeremy turned his attention to the television and the movie that was just starting. This guy recognized it, certainly, from the introduction credits and squirmed a little in anticipation. The music started and the guy was instantly transported into his own dream.
'Who's that?' Carmen questioned a not many scenes into the movie. Rokie deflowered like in a porn movieRockie's boyfriend asked her to come. He turned on the porn movie and seduced sexy young virgin. Movie sex gameIn the early 90's I had a part time job in a movie store. We had a "back room" with all of the adult movies in it. We didn't actually advertise, but if somebody asked we would let 'em know.
One night I was working by myself and a honey in her early Twenty's came in. This babe looked around a bit and then came up to the counter and asked me if we had any adult movies. BRENDA'S Movie DEBUT part 4"Is this a video of some kind?" Larry asks.
"Yep, dad," Brenda answers. "Hottie," Larry suggests, "let me receive ya swallow to aid calm your nerves." This guy proposes, "We'll see the movie jointly." The loving father adds, "It might not as bad as what u think." Larry goes into the kitchen and pulls out 2 beers. This guy quickly returns. This babe was still looking feeble when this guy handed his daughter the bottle. Anna Canine Problems-------- Anna: Canine Problems --------
My impressive daughter-in-law Anna came to me, very upset, very confused as well. But this babe desperately needed my aid. Her spouse had been k**ding her about how hawt it would be to watch her having sex with a dog, and how much some sweethearts liked it. This babe was somewhat disgusted by the idea, even after her spouse showed her a movie of a woman having sex with a dog. Pictures and movie scenes by requestHi to anyone who's reading this, firstly I'd just like to say thanks to anyone who visits my profile and for all the great comments and and messages, I have a fun making the pictures and movie scenes on my profile just as much as u have a fun watching 'em.
In any case now to the point, as of next weekend I'm gonna be home for Two months over the Christmas break which means alot of access to my s****rs pants and underware. |

subset: commoncrawl


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Topic: Dragons and Titans / Suggestions and Ideas
chat before a match with team-mates. so we can vote for leader, etc…
or, better yet. a guild system.
this way I won't be so unluck as to play with folks who have no idea what to do.
Recent posts by DiogoC19 on Kongregate


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Aug 25, 2013 2:33 PM
Summer 2014 18u knoxville
Like (0)
We are in search of dedicated and hard working players to join our team. If this is you please feel free to call Mark Pinkston @ 865-684-7612 or Jason Edington @ 865-242-4381 to set a time where we can take a look. Thanks for looking & we'll hear from you soon
Online Golf Tee Times with Last Minute Tee Time Deals & Discounts
Cool Running is the complete online resource for runners.
Find your favorite campground from the best campgrounds listing!


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Calvin Klein CK5722 202 Brown Fade eyeglasses are stunningly sophisticated. This delicately stylish frame boasts a brown fade finish that transitions into a semi-transparent peach along the lower rim. These glasses are minimally embellished with a polished gold cap at the top corner of the right side, branded with the CK logo by the left hinge.
These Calvin Klein CK5728 274 Brown Horn eyeglasses are adventurously trendy. This full acetate frame has a semi-transparent brown striated finish and a cateye shape. The glasses are modestly decorated with triple studs on the corners and a gold logo near each hinge.


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Erie Otters goaltender Oscar Dansk (CLB) is the Hockey's Future Prospect of the Month for October of 2013. In eight starts, the Swedish goaltender posted an 8-0 record, a 1.75 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage, and two shutouts.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Team Depth Chart of NHL Prospects
- Deep pool of NHL ready defenders
- Depth of play making centers
- Depth and talent of prospects at pro level
- No premiere scorers at the wing
- Goaltenders still a long way from NHL
- Lack a big physical presence at forward
Legend of Players' Leagues
- Pro
- Playing in N.A. Pro (NHL, AHL, ECHL, etc.)
- Playing in CHL (OHL, QMJHL, WHL)
- Playing in NCAA
- Europe
- Playing in Europe
- Junior
- Playing in Junior 'A' (USHL, BCHL, AJHL, etc.)
- Not Categorized Yet
Columbus Blue Jackets own enviable depth at all positionsThe Columbus Blue Jackets are an organization with an extremely deep prospect pool. With names like Boone Jenner, Ryan Murray, Dalton Prout, and David Savard echoing through NHL arenas, it seems as though all of its young talent graduated to the NHL. That is not the case. Top 50: Prospects ranked 21-30 have high upside but questions remain unansweredThe Fall edition of the Hockey's Future ranking of the Top 50 NHL prospects continues with the prospects ranked 21-30. New additions from the 2013 NHL Draft augment the depth of skilled forwards in the middle group of the ranking. Elias Lindholm, drafted fifth by Carolina, and Sean Monahan, sixth by Calgary, debut on the list next to prospects who lost some luster after a rocky 2012-13 season in Mikhail Grigorenko and Mikael Granlund. Murray and Jenner among those expected to have big seasons for Columbus Blue JacketsThe 2013-14 season could be a potential preview of things to come for the Columbus Blue Jackets, as the organization has several prospects making their NHL debuts as well as prominent players returning to college, Europe, and the CHL. Most of Columbus' young talent has steadily improved and if that trend continues, the Blue Jackets will be a very dangerous young team. New additions add balance to Columbus Blue Jackets Top 20 rankingDespite recently graduating a large number of players to the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets continue to have a well-stocked system. Led by a trio of talented goaltenders and a slew of high-end defensive prospects, Columbus' future in its own zone looks bright. The Blue Jackets have tons of promise offensively too, with forwards Marko Dano, Alexander Wennberg, and Kerby Rychel among the newest members of the prospect pool. |


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Ok so please be gentle with me this is my first ever attempt to write about anything I'm doing!
So here's about me. I'm a stay at home mum to 3 girls a 4and a half year old who started school this year and 18 month old twins.
Basically I didn't really put weight on whilst pregnant with the twins as I don't think anything stayed in my stomach for more than 5 minutes all the way through! But 18 months later after fully devoting myself to the girls I found myself unhappy with "me".
So I've decided to jump onto exante and shift this weight. My ultimate goal being back in the 11 stones by Xmas (if that's even possible) I'm in the 14s now and I am 6 ft tall.
I have the full support of a wonderful hubby and I am now on day 14. But exante still haven't deliver my order and I'm out of packs and having to substitute with atkins !!
Actually it's really annoying and their customer service has been unfortunately poor. I ordered last Sunday for next day delivery and yes I'm still waiting. It took until I emailed them 3 times to tell me that they were out of stock. But not offering me any help in the meantime.
So basically I am waiting waiting waiting!
Anyway that's a little about what I'm doing. I hope it's not too boring!


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Frank Shamrock talks about his history with Strikeforce and Scott Coker, whether he thought the final card was representative of the Strikeforce brand, Mauro Ranallo's absence from the broadcast, and watch video >>
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker reflects on "Diaz vs. Noons II," Strikeforce's future and a relationship with DREAM in light of issues with paying their fighters. Interview by Danny Acosta. Video by Ric watch video >>
Download our iPhone app here http://www.mmafighting.com/iphone-download For more check out http://www.mmafighting.com watch video >>
http://mmaweekly.com/ caught up with Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker and he talked about what he sees going forward forward for his company. Watch him talk with Erik Fontanez about his champions, contend watch video >>
The Strikeforce CEO confirms that Fedor Emelianenko could return to the heavyweight grand prix, despite losing to Antonio Silva. For daily MMA news and videos, check out CagePotato.com Cutting edge, watch video >>
The Strikeforce CEO discusses Fedor Emelianenko's retirement claims, Andrei Arlovski's last loss, Josh Barnett's licensing issues, and Gina Carano's return to MMA. Cutting edge, topical, and brutally watch video >>
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker Talks Carano vs Cyborg watch video >>
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker Post-Fight Interview watch video >>
Scott Coker On Strikeforce Fedor vs Rogers watch video >>


text: NY getting $55.4M for small biz lending By: David Winzelberg June 24, 2011 Comments Off Just-approved changes to the state's Capital Access Program will turn about $55.4 million in federal funds into a small business lending pool and increase loan access to credit-starved companies. The money is New York's share of a $1.5 billion Obama administration program called the State Small Business Credit Initiative and is part of the Small Business ... Subscribe Login Email Address: Password: Already a paid subscriber but not registered for online access yet? For instructions on how to get premium web access, click here.Forgot your password? Print, Digital & Mobile1 Year$129 Digital & Mobile Only1 Month Intro Rate$2.99----------1 Year$99 Digital & Mobile Only1 Month Intro Rate$2.99----------1 Year$99 Print, Digital & Mobile1 Year$129 Print, Digital & Mobile1 Year$129----------Digital & Mobile Only1 Month Intro Rate$2.99----------1 Year$99 Share this:EmailPrintFacebookTwitterGoogle +1 bonding business growth capital credit Economy federal funds funding lending loans Long Island Small Business state law 8:34 am Fri, June 24, 2011 Long Island Business News David Winzelberg


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Chart: PC industry resets, aims to return to growth by Todd Bishop on April 11, 2014September 5, 2014 at 11:48 amComment The traditional notebook and desktop PC industry experienced its best quarter in nearly two years, according to numbers released by the Gartner research firm this week. Yes, shipments declined by… Read More
New forecast: PC market down 7% in 2014, tablets up 39% by Todd Bishop on March 27, 2014March 27, 2014 at 9:29 am 2 Comments Just in time for new Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's expected introduction of an Office suite for iPad today, new numbers from Gartner show how business and consumer buying trends are… Read More
PC shipments fall by 6.9%, capping worst year ever by Blair Hanley Frank on January 9, 2014January 9, 2014 at 4:38 pm 2 Comments For PC manufacturers, 2013 was a tough year — but 2014 might be slightly better. Shipments of PCs fell 6.9 percent worldwide in Q4 2013 compared to the same period… Read More
Android vs. Apple vs. Windows: Forecast shows shift for PCs, tablets, devices by Blair Hanley Frank on June 24, 2013June 24, 2013 at 9:59 amComment In the event you needed more evidence that the PC business isn't a growth sector, Gartner has just released new numbers projecting a 10.6 percent decline in PC shipments this… Read More
Forecast: Microsoft third in tablets through at least 2016 by Todd Bishop on April 10, 2012April 10, 2012 at 9:25 am 14 Comments The launch of Windows 8 later this year will give Microsoft a boost in the media tablet market, making Windows-based machines a viable competitor against Android tablets and the iPad,… Read More
Data: Windows Phone trails pack in Q1, waiting for a Nokia bump by Todd Bishop on May 20, 2011May 21, 2011 at 7:50 pm 3 Comments More than 3.6 million smartphones running Microsoft's operating system were sold to end users worldwide in the first quarter, according to data released this morning by the Gartner research firm.… Read More
Windows 7 hits 350 million: Putting the data in perspective by Todd Bishop on April 22, 2011October 1, 2011 at 8:36 am 12 Comments Microsoft this morning announced that Windows 7 has reached 350 million licenses sold in 18 months on the market. It's an impressive number on the surface, but absent any other… Read More


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Hi all!
On SecurityLab.ru forum an exploit code was published by an anonymous user.
Reportedly it must have caused Skype massive disconnections today.
The PoC uses standard Skype client to call to a specific number. This call
causes denial of service of current Skype server and forces Skype to
reconnect to another server. The new server also "freezes" and so on ... the
entire network.
Liks: http://www.securitylab.ru/news/301422.php
PoC: http://en.securitylab.ru/poc/301420.php
Best regards,
Valery Marchuk


text:
Definition of personnel carrier in English:
Another term for armored personnel carrier.
Example sentences
- The companies received munitions and transported it on tanks, personnel carriers, or whatever other vehicles they could use.
- The convoy of armoured Army personnel carriers looks at home as it lumbers through scarred streets, soldiers in helmets peering out.
- In 1939, tanks were in short supply, and infantry personnel carriers were virtually unknown.
Definition of personnel carrier in:
- British & World English dictionary
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= trending


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Gartner Advises Businesses to Upgrade to Windows 7 In 2010
By Baselinemag | Posted 2010-06-02 Email PrintMicrosoft's Windows XP should be eliminated from businesses' PCs by the end of 2012, according to a new report from research firm Gartner, as both ISVs and application builders begin to cut off support for the operating system. At the same time, the report states, organizations planning on a Windows 7 transition should begin planning and testing this year.
Windows XP should be eliminated from office PCs by the end of 2012, research firm Gartner advises in a June 2 report, as both ISVs (independent software vendors) and application-builders begin to cut off their support for the aging operating system in earnest. At the same time, Gartner advises that businesses upgrading to Windows 7 begin planning and testing for the transition this year. Gartner's advice echoes a report from before the launch of Windows 7, which has sold more than 90 million licenses since its October 2009 debut.Most Popular
2013's Top Ten In-Demand Technology S...
How does the sound of competing job offers—along with multipl...Watch Now


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Fresh off his appearance on "The Watchmen" alongside Nino Bless, Styles P and Crooked I; Cambatta hits the net with his latest mixtape offering, Smoke & Mirrors. Stream/download after the jump.
DOWNLOAD: Cambatta - Smoke & Mirrors (Mixtape)
Posted in Mixtapes/Albums | Tags: cambatta
Track 10... "Lawdamercy" ... one of the hardest tracks I've heard in a decade... word to muva
This will be hands down a top 5 mixtape of 2013! Mark my words!
Never listened to this guy before but i'm half way through and am very impressed
Holy shit this is fire! Spaceships is crack.
He's on anothalevel of rhythm! Straight up ! #SmokeNMirrors #MidasWellHate
Rather listen to Trinidad James. Bottom Line. This succ dic.
You know me be? Thought so. Fall Back or post up. How you do it in your hood? Think a bought it.
heard bout this dude bout 2 years ago been jammin to him ever since..try to put people on this dude but mother fuckas just dont know
Gotta love Shake for originally suportting Cambatta back in 2007 with the Visionary ... Cambatta is carving his space !
This mixtape is a classic, very under rated and needs more exposure. Cambatta is a lyrical mastermind and has a very unique flow. This is a must listen


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LinkBack | Thread Tools |
02-27-2014, 04:52 PM | #1 (permalink) |
Elite Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 1,468
Foggy Morning with Trent and I
So Trent turned 5 years old on the 20th, and I'm 20 1/2 this month, so we had an little for fun "photoshoot" together. And by that I mean we walked about 5 minutes away from the house and I took pictures of us together with my sister's help.
Thanks in advance for looking, and sorry for so many pictures of me! I'm actually pretty happy with some of them, and really wanted to share. "Am I doing good, Mom?" "Yes, but it'd be nice if you could carry your ears like a normal dog!" <3 One of me, the early morning fog and mood was too cool to pass up Another of Trent and I And a couple more of just me, sorry!! Watching a dog and bicyclist go past us on the bridge, Trent did great. What a dog. It's been an incredible 5 years and I'm looking forward to many more years of learning, laughter, and love. Can't think of a better dog to grow up alongside. And Trent's "official" 5 years old stack. Posting a little (his paws and pasterns usually look better), but I think he's looking good! Also for fun! Comparison to my high school senior portraits in late 2010/early 2011 Last edited by Rei; 02-27-2014 at 04:55 PM. |
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02-27-2014, 05:00 PM | #2 (permalink) |
Master Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Northwest Illinois
Posts: 993
Awesome photos of the two of you! Very cool the senior/current photos too.
GSD/Dinozzo (A.K.A. Jocose vom Mittelwest); Cats: R.I.P. Xena & Zora; Ferrets/Falkor, Draco, Drogon |
02-27-2014, 05:02 PM | #4 (permalink) |
Crowned Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: -
Posts: 3,823
I think you have picked one of the best names in the world! most likely bc im a 90's baby and i love NIN lol!
best name ever award!!! Also those are fantastic leggings, love them. Last edited by misslesleedavis1; 02-27-2014 at 05:07 PM. |
02-27-2014, 05:05 PM | #6 (permalink) |
Master Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 829
Very nice shots.
Dagr "Dag" 11/07/2013- |
02-27-2014, 05:36 PM | #8 (permalink) |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Hurst, Texas
Posts: 319
All the pictures are simply beautiful.....if I had to choose just one, it would be the picture of you two looking at each other.
If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. ― Will Rogers |
02-27-2014, 05:54 PM | #9 (permalink) | ||||
Elite Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Beaverton, Oregon
Posts: 1,468
And I like those leggings, too I hate wearing jeans and wear leggings almost exclusively, so I'm always buying fun looking leggings. He is Can't believe he is 5 already. Thanks!! Quote:
Thanks! I really like that picture, too. Even when he's being a brat, he likes to look at me for approval |
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Mar 08, 2014, 09:14 AM | |
Joined Sep 2006
7 Posts
Gen 3 Fly Guy
I have built a 62" Fly Guy and had a successful maiden flight. I had issues with motor KV and a too small esc which cutout. Found that Fly Guy has a good glide slope giving me plenty of time to reboot the esc and land safely. I now have a different motor, esc, and prop and will try again soon. Lots of snow here in Connecticut. I am hoping that you would share the full setup on your new design? I would build it in a second as it is a great flyer. I will be flying the one I have at all our events along with a Snoopy dog house that I also have. I will post my next flight. Thank you Otto.
Barney Liftoff R/C Propbusters Salem, CT |
Mar 08, 2014, 10:13 AM | ||
Joined Aug 2011
2,827 Posts
Mar 13, 2014, 11:40 AM | ||
France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Nimes
Joined Mar 2012
145 Posts
can see a picture of your feet flyguy last (the one with two engines) now my flyguy62 flies very well, but a fair bit with my motors to the figures. |
Mar 13, 2014, 11:48 AM | ||
Joined Aug 2011
2,827 Posts
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2121609 To get the best performance you want to integrate the top/arm plate and the main body plate of Version 2 together. Study the pictures and read the captions. Mine is being converted to a flying Elvis. |
Mar 14, 2014, 07:56 AM | |
Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
Joined Aug 2009
224 Posts
A question for Otto,
My flyguy 62 (v1) was flying great until the parkzone bf109 3 blade prop shed a blade. it cut my hand and didn't do a lot for flyguy as I was just about to launch him. On inspection it was found that the blade root had a bubble in the plastic and this is where it failed. I cut the other blades off and guess what? I found another bubble in another blade root. Now this is probably a one off so I have gotten myself another 3 blade Parkzone Bf109 prop and cut it down to 8.5." Now, although my watt meter says I am pulling 300W , my flyguy is definitely lack lustre, The only difference I can see is that on the old prop I rounded the cut ends of the blades, on the new prop I have left them straight. Could this make such a difference? I think I may need to try different props. My question is this; I can fit a 9.5" prop in but what pitch would you recommend for a 2 blader( APC) ( more obtainable for me) ?. I tried a master airscrew (e) 10X7 cut down to 9" but this barely flew him. Should I go for a 8,9 or 10" pitch? what do you think? Any advice gratefully received Alan |
Mar 14, 2014, 11:05 AM | ||
Joined Aug 2011
2,827 Posts
First question is what motor are you using? Power output does not necessarily correlate to input watts. Prop loading is an art. For flyguy you are not looking for speed (pitch) but you are looking for static thrust (diameter). 3 blades create the effect of about an inch more diameter but the Master Airscrew has a small blade width counteracting this effect. The answer is you want to use all the diameter you can which is 9.5". Then you want to select the pitch that loads it without over loading it; takes the motor to its sustainable amp limit. There are prop charts and calculators that require stator length and diameter plus motor KV to tell you a good starting point. Which brings me back to what motor are you using? |
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