September 20, 2007 (LPAC)--Speaking at a state dinner Sept. 19 during his first visit to Argentina as head of state, Ecuador's President Rafael Correa paid tribute to outgoing Argentine President Nestor Kirchner, who will leave office in December.

Since his 2003 election, Kirchner has been a thorn in the side of the international financial oligarchy because he has bucked its British Empire's free-market dictates. Those financial vultures are also enraged about Correa, whom Kirchner described at the dinner as "a President who will write a very important new page in his country's history...willing to pose an alternative to the neo-liberal models that have exhausted and destroyed our region."

In its own fight against "the tragedy of neo-liberalism," Correa said, Ecuador has been inspired by the example that President Kirchner has set for the region "and the world." The "success of the political process you began, Mr. President, is irrefutable, in the economic, social and political spheres...in democracy and respect for human rights, you are a clear example of what a progressive, committed, sovereign, dignified and patriotic government can do."

Correa also referenced Argentina's assistance on the restructuring of Ecuador's foreign debt--a source of much teeth-gnashing on Wall Street--and the fact that the two leaders have joined together to create a new, regional financial entity, the Bank of the South, "which is an expression of the sovereignty of our peoples."

"Those who govern the majority of our countries, and particularly in Argentina and Ecuador, know where we are going, and on what road," Correa said. In the heat of battle, "we believe we also have a right to celebrate, and the solidarity between Ecuador and Argentina is a cause for celebration." But not in the City of London.