MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Ecuadorian Army clears roadblocks but protests continue

Ecuadorian security forces began removing roadblocks placed by indigenous groups protesting against talks for a free trade agreement with United States.

The Army moved in to restore order after the administration of President Alfredo Palacio declared the state of emergency in five central provinces, including Quito, the capital.

This is the fourth time in over a month the government orders extreme measures which include a curfew and limits public meetings.

Indigenous organizations have been blocking the country's main roads to protest the deal fearing that it will damage their peoples' economy, culture and way of life.

"The president took this decision after exhausting all other options for dialogue," said Interior Minister Felipe Vega who suggested that protestors collect signatures to force a referendum on the free trade pact, instead of blocking roads.

But Gilberto Talahua, one of the leaders of the main indigenous groups said protests will continue until discussions on the deal "are frozen".

The roadblocks have causes increasing food and fuel shortages in some of the country's central provinces and even Quito but a military spokesman said that some of the main roads have already been cleared, "and business should soon return to normal, as ordered by the President".

A final round of talks about the free trade agreement is scheduled to begin in Washington March 23, with a deal expected to be concluded in early April.

The administration of President Palacio has repeatedly said that the deal would go ahead in spite of the protests, but promised to fight for better conditions regarding farm produce, one of the protestors' main complaints.