Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa on Thursday promised an
international investigation into the helicopter crash that killed
the country's first woman defense minister.
"It was an unfortunate accident, but for the good of all
there'll be a thorough investigation by an international
commission, totally neutral ... so no doubt is left as to what
happened," Correa told a crowd at a military building where
Guadalupe Larriva's coffin was displayed.
He said France and Chile would take part in the probe, adding
that the United States, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela
offered to help and sent their condolences.
Correa, who was sworn in as Ecuador's new president last week,
vowed to continue his socialist revolution to reform his
country.
"We will not take a step back in our mission... to rebuild the
country," he said. "My dear colleague, dear colleagues, on to
victory always."
The president called for three days of national mourning for
Larriva, as well as her 17-year-old daughter and five army officers
who were also killed in the tragedy.
Larriva, 50, died on Wednesday night in a mid-air collision
between two helicopters near a military base in Manta, some 260 km
southeast of Quito.
She was appointed by Correa and took office on Jan. 15.
(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2007)
