New bases are going to be established with with battalions in the zone. We don't understand this because a military presence has never been of much use to us. That's very clear. The mayor, and the Perfect, (an elected province governor)  have said the same thing. It's really the people themselves that defend the country and the characteristics of the population. We understand that the military are charged with vigilance of national sovereignty. But we feel this increase in military presence is unfortunate. Frequently it bothers the people in this area and it is not very effective. We profoundly hope that the armed forces know what they are doing in carrying out this military presence. It could appear to be a big great military operation in a certain sense but with excessive military presence, with little efficiency and with a lot of trouble for the Ecuadoran population which doesn't really have any thing to do with this. (The war in Colombia). Are there concerns the Colombian Paramilitaries will begin operations on this side of the border and cause massacres in the area?     There has been a certain intensification of the violence and of murder. What bothers the people the most is the violence of the paramilitaries. That's what they're opposed to. They are people that have come to tear out hearts and haven't any sort of moderation. They are simply professional assassins and indiscriminate in their killing. That's what has people very unsettled. What we are seeing is that the effects of Plan Colombia are not going to come as a permanent storm. It's going to be something that occurs from time to time. It appears the peace talks in Colombia have had some effect because we have had two very peaceful months. We are now better prepared to care for refugees if they do arrive again. And the solidarity among the people to accept them is admirable, and should allow the problem to be handled. But it does seem if there's a rapid escalation of violence on the other side it will explode over here as well. And we can't predict very well what might happen. What is the most important factor in preserving peace in this region?    We have to work with all the solidarity groups to create a consciousness that we should not proceed with Plan Colombia as it is. And by that I mean the base at Manta. The power of the North Americans which has been a constant complaint in the statements of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie). We have to construct peace with peace and not peace with war, as our mayor has said. The people in this region are friends of Colombia. There's been more than a century since anything has happened. Our friendly relations are based on a long time of peaceful coexistance, and based on the fact the Colombians in this zone have been very positive people and are the first colonizers of the area. It's a relationship that's been based on friendship, not in anyway aggressive. That's what they want to put in place with Plan Colombia. And we don't want to accept it. We want to live as friends and brothers on the border. And we want to receive them with all our soul and generosity. The civil society of Sucumbios and Orellana are trying to organize themselves for a future while resolving the present situation of Plan Colombia. We want everyone to know that it is not good to do away with the natural resources, introduce violence, to kill people, to promote murder and all that story. No we can't accept that. And here in Ecuador there are the antibodies necessary to resolve this problem in a really positive manner. More