Correa supporters force Ecuador Congress evacuation
(Adds details, Correa comments, Congress reaction)
By Alonso Soto
QUITO, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Crowds of protesters demanding support for leftist President Rafael Correa's constitutional reforms stormed Ecuador's opposition-controlled Congress on Tuesday and forced lawmakers to evacuate.
Police fired tear gas at the protesters, who wielded sticks and bottles as they entered the 100-member Congress. They briefly penetrated the building before being removed by police.
Television images showed police escorting lawmakers out as demonstrators, some clad in the bright green shirts of Correa's movement, rallied outside.
Police said the protest in front of the legislature drew more than 5,000 people. Many shouted "Yes to the popular assembly" and "Congressmen go home."
An EFE news agency photographer was hit in the face with an object, and three police officers were slightly hurt by thrown rocks, police said in a statement. One protester was detained.
Most Ecuadoreans back Correa's call for a referendum to decide whether to call an assembly with broad powers to draft a new constitution for the unstable South American nation.
Jorge Cevallos, president of the Congress, told reporters that lawmakers would meet in the same building on Wednesday despite threats of more demonstrations.
Protest organizer Luis Villacis told Reuters that the protest would continue.
'PUT OUT THE FIRE'
In a press briefing after the incident, Correa said it was up to Congress "put out the fire they started."
"The fight here is between Congress and 13 million Ecuadoreans," Correa told reporters. He added that his referendum request will move forward even with congressional opposition.
While the charismatic Correa enjoys a 73-percent approval rating, Congress is widely seen as corrupt and inefficient and is favored by only 13 percent of Ecuadoreans, according to a recent Cedatos Gallup poll.
An ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Correa was elected in November promising to introduce sweeping reforms to curtail the influence of traditional political parties that many Ecuadoreans blame for chronic instability.
But his push for a political overhaul has triggered worries about turmoil in a country where three elected presidents have been ousted in a decade.
The opposition accused the government of promoting the demonstration. But a government spokesman said it "deeply regrets" the assault on the legislature and condemns any political violence.
Opposition lawmakers have said they could move Congress out of Quito if street protests continue and have complained the government is providing insufficient security.
The opposition is against the idea of a popular assembly, which could curb their influence.
CREDIT RATING DOWNGRADE
Moody's Investors Service downgraded Ecuador's credit rating on Tuesday, citing threats by Correa to restructure the country's debt.
Ecuador's debt has been battered by Correa's calls for debt renegotiation as Wall Street frets about a possible default by the oil exporting country.
"Given the considerable resources Ecuador's government has accumulated in light of the oil windfall of the past few years, a decision to restructure obligations is purely based on ideology," Moody's said in a statement.
The statement added that since "debt service is already relatively low, a meaningful alleviation of cash flow could only be obtained by a restructuring with sizable losses to creditors." (Additional reporting by Alexandra Valencia, Angelo Chamba and Jose Llangari)
By Alonso Soto
QUITO, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Crowds of protesters demanding support for leftist President Rafael Correa's constitutional reforms stormed Ecuador's opposition-controlled Congress on Tuesday and forced lawmakers to evacuate.
Police fired tear gas at the protesters, who wielded sticks and bottles as they entered the 100-member Congress. They briefly penetrated the building before being removed by police.
Television images showed police escorting lawmakers out as demonstrators, some clad in the bright green shirts of Correa's movement, rallied outside.
Police said the protest in front of the legislature drew more than 5,000 people. Many shouted "Yes to the popular assembly" and "Congressmen go home."
An EFE news agency photographer was hit in the face with an object, and three police officers were slightly hurt by thrown rocks, police said in a statement. One protester was detained.
Most Ecuadoreans back Correa's call for a referendum to decide whether to call an assembly with broad powers to draft a new constitution for the unstable South American nation.
Jorge Cevallos, president of the Congress, told reporters that lawmakers would meet in the same building on Wednesday despite threats of more demonstrations.
Protest organizer Luis Villacis told Reuters that the protest would continue.
'PUT OUT THE FIRE'
In a press briefing after the incident, Correa said it was up to Congress "put out the fire they started."
"The fight here is between Congress and 13 million Ecuadoreans," Correa told reporters. He added that his referendum request will move forward even with congressional opposition.
While the charismatic Correa enjoys a 73-percent approval rating, Congress is widely seen as corrupt and inefficient and is favored by only 13 percent of Ecuadoreans, according to a recent Cedatos Gallup poll.
An ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Correa was elected in November promising to introduce sweeping reforms to curtail the influence of traditional political parties that many Ecuadoreans blame for chronic instability.
But his push for a political overhaul has triggered worries about turmoil in a country where three elected presidents have been ousted in a decade.
The opposition accused the government of promoting the demonstration. But a government spokesman said it "deeply regrets" the assault on the legislature and condemns any political violence.
Opposition lawmakers have said they could move Congress out of Quito if street protests continue and have complained the government is providing insufficient security.
The opposition is against the idea of a popular assembly, which could curb their influence.
CREDIT RATING DOWNGRADE
Moody's Investors Service downgraded Ecuador's credit rating on Tuesday, citing threats by Correa to restructure the country's debt.
Ecuador's debt has been battered by Correa's calls for debt renegotiation as Wall Street frets about a possible default by the oil exporting country.
"Given the considerable resources Ecuador's government has accumulated in light of the oil windfall of the past few years, a decision to restructure obligations is purely based on ideology," Moody's said in a statement.
The statement added that since "debt service is already relatively low, a meaningful alleviation of cash flow could only be obtained by a restructuring with sizable losses to creditors." (Additional reporting by Alexandra Valencia, Angelo Chamba and Jose Llangari)
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