Скачать или смотреть ECUADOR: INDIANS DEMAND RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT MAHUAD (3)

(20 Jan 2000) Voice and effects

VOICED BY Phillipa Meagher

Thousands of Ecuadorian Indians have taken to the streets of the capital Quito, demanding the resignation of President Jamil Mahuad.

They are protesting against the government's plan to make the U-S dollar Ecuador's official currency.

Mahuad announced the measure last week in a bid to end soaring inflation and stabilise the economy.

00 02 Thousands of Ecuadorian Indians converged on the capital this week to take part in the protests.

00 09 They are demanding the government backs off its plan to make the U-S dollar Ecuador's official currency.

00 15 - 00 20 FX chanting

00 20 The intensely unpopular measure was announced last week by President Jamil Mahuad in a bid to end soaring inflation and stabilise the economy.

Many food prices have doubled since then and the government's now been forced to impose price controls to halt speculation.

00 36 Many of these Indians trekked day and night to reach Quito for the protest march.

This was despite the government trying to prevent them getting to the capital by throwing up military blockades on the major highways.

00 50 But the Indians evaded them by walking over mountain trails to reach the city.

00 56 The march reached a stalemate when police blocked the protestors as they approached the Ministry of Defence building
01 04 - 01 06 FX

01 06 They wanted to hand in a petition demanding Mahuad's resignation, the closure of Congress and the Supreme Court.

They said those institutions should be replaced with a "popular government" appointed by Indians and leftist-led unions and student groups.

01 20 The Indians says they are going to stay in Quito, camping in the parks if necessary, until their demands are met.

ends 01 30

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