Weekly Report - 13 March 2008 (ISSN 1741-7422)

ECUADOR-CHILE | Strengthening ties. Ecuador's President Rafael Correa was the guest of honour at a party celebrating the second anniversary of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet's inauguration. Correa launched a charm offensive. He thanked Bachelet for her unconditional support for Ecuador's cause in the wake of the March 1Colombian air raid on its soil. Asked by the Chilean press if his fierce criticism of Colombia was indicative of a move to emulate Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez , Correa said he did not know about being a Chavista but was "absolutely sure about being a Bacheletista". He also wished Chile the best of luck in its case against Peru over maritime boundaries at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague. This played well to the Chileans and must have riled Peru (although it claimed to be pleased with Correa's neutrality), particularly after President Alan Garcí­a stuck his neck out by supporting Correa in Ecuador's dispute with Colombia, a firm ally of Peru's. Ecuador is also a signatory to the two treaties from the 1950s which Peru contends did not define maritime boundaries but rather fishing rights.