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LV Cars at border post
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SV Car being stopped
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CU Sign "Colombia Customs"
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CU Car being searched (3 shots)
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LV Line of cars being stopped
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CU Troops checking truck and identity card (2 shots)
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CU Civilian with troops
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LV & CU Vehicle with Colombian registration (2 Shots)
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CU Customs official checking truck
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SV Line of stationary cars at customers post
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Initials BB/1915 EW/MR/BB/1925



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Troops and special police have been sent to the northern Ecuador town of Tulcan, on the border with Colombia, after rumours that expelled Ecuador dissidents would attempt to march back into the country.

Ecuador's military government, under President Guillermo Rodriguez Lara, last month deported ex-President Calos Julio Arosemena and Conservative Party leader Julio Cesar Trujillo, after announcing that it had discovered a subversive plot.

President Lara, who survived an army rebellion last September, announced last Saturday (20 December) that he will call a plebiscite in his battle to stay in power. He fixed no date, but said he wished to put his proposals for a new constitution to the people. Among the new proposals, the President said he would be announcing a new statute for political parties -- indicating that he is unwilling to surrender power to the traditional, mainly conservative political groups.

The opposition parties, which backed the abortive September coup and a series of strikes in attempts to topple General Lara, have called for general elections. But government officials argue that with an electorate of only one million liberates power would go almost automatically to the conservatives.

Fearing fresh outbreaks of trouble, border guards have instituted a complete search on all vehicles entering the country from Colombia, and strict identity checks for all incoming travellers.

SYNOPSIS: At Ecuador's main border post with Colombia, the town of Tulcan on the highway between Quito and Bogota, security's been stepped up this past week, following rumours that expelled dissidents would try to re-entre the country.

All cars entering the country are being stopped and searched by special squads of troops and police. A number of Ecuador's leading opposition figures -- including ex-President Carlos Julio Arosemena and Conservative Party leader Julio Cesar Trujillo -- have been deported since September's abortive military coup against President Gullermo Rodriguez Lara.

Opposition groups are continuing to call for General Lara's resignation. Last week, the President announced he wanted to put new constitutional proposals -- including a new statute for political parties -- before the people in his fight to remain in office. Meanwhile, the security checks continue in full force.