Bogotá, 15 oct 2009 (OP). In response to the decision of the Justice of Ecuador involving the General Commander of the Armed Forces of Colombia in legal proceedings concerning the events of March 1, 2008, the Government of Colombia stated today that:

1. It does not recognize the extraterritorial authority of the Ecuadorian courts to investigate and prosecute former and current Colombian officials, as it was stated on September 24, in the Communiqué issued by both governments.

2. It will protect through all the available means any current and/or former Colombian official, facing similar circumstances and reiterates that the defense and safety of these officials is a State responsibility.

3. As has been stated in the roadmap agreed by the two governments, this issue should be handled in meetings devoted to sensitive issues.

4. Under these circumstances, the Government of Colombia proposed to postpone the next meeting of COMBIFRON scheduled for Friday, in Ibarra - Ecuador.

5. Colombia restated to the Government of Ecuador the need to find a solution to this problem in order to advance in the normalization of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

 (End).