THE UNENDING STRUGGLE

foreign select at random a nation caught in the complex tides of the 20th century examine its people and the pattern of their lives like people everywhere they exchange the products of their labor foreign they seek what is useful and what is beautiful their Pleasures are simple and their Joys are few [Music] for over three quarters of the Earth's population there is simply the passing of the years between birth and death [Music] foreign [Music] in the time of life there is growing old and there is labor too often there is little to show for it all [Music] this is Ecuador a nation of four and a half million people they live on the coastal plain that sweeps down to the Pacific Ocean they live high in the Andes the Sierra that bisects the land they live deep in the jungle of the oriente [Music] Ecuador has many faces Indian or Spaniel or a mixture of both [Music] four and a half million people and in the next decade this figure will double [Music] out of a proud past out of an uncertain present is woven the changing tapestry of the future foreign so many other places on this troubled Earth can be seen the conditions that give rise to conflict to Riot and revolution here in this place of Pride and poverty can be found the familiar challenges that threaten the future of us all we are here in Ecuador two thousand miles beyond our Shores through long days and longer nights the men and women of our Foreign Service of our foreign aid and information agencies of our Armed Forces pursue the unending struggle for tomorrow [Music] this is one day in one nation it could have been any day in any one of many nations where our future is being formed at 8 30 in the morning in Quito capital city of Ecuador a meeting between our ambassador and the ruling Hunter of Ecuador Castro sauce this is our ambassador to Ecuador he carries the full burden of responsibility to the president and Secretary of State for implementing United States policy in Ecuador SOS Ambassador you spoke at first about questions relating to the alliance for progress you said that in reality the loans are being increased but they are not being used I want to tell you that the use of these loans is being stepped up but sometimes we cannot use them immediately because the banks for example the bank for inter-american development do not allow you to act freely the hunter assumed power in the midst of a political and economic crisis they have worked to Institute much-needed reforms and have declared their intention to prepare the way for an early return to constitutional government is this interchange of ideas is very important in arriving at any conclusion we began our talks four or five months ago and we have held a number of talks with Minister Cardenas to discover what problems were involved relating to the loans so that we would be able to eliminate those problems Maurice Birnbaum 54 for 28 years a career Foreign Service Officer fluent in Spanish experienced in the ways of Latin America he maintains close contact with the leadership of the country to urge our point of view to defend our interests and to work for maximum effectiveness of our joint programs in Ecuador strictly visits there are many ways in which we seek to strengthen a free Nation some as simple as helping the people of a tiny village build a school for the face of tomorrow is the face of a child [Music] much of what we want for Ecuador can be seen within the walls of this half-finished school [Music] foreign for the school and the labor come from the people of Ecuador the government of Ecuador and the United States will supply the materials and the money in Ecuador the need for schools is critical the rate of illiteracy is among the highest in the world the people do not read or write radio is the chief medium of communication foreign [Applause] [Applause] [Music] each year the United States information service here produces more than 700 radio programs in the Spanish and Indian languages more than 70 of all the stations in Ecuador will carry these programs this is a news broadcast in catch one the language of the Ecuadorian Indians [Music] thank you [Music] James F McKiernan is the assistant United States information officer in Ecuador 40 years old a native of Massachusetts he had broad experience in radio and station management he has been with the United States information service for over 10 years this morning he hopes to convince the owner of a rural station who has not been using our programs to reconsider his position not every Ecuadorian station is favorably disposed to the American viewpoint but it is mckiernan's job to use every means available to reach the minds of the people he must explain the nature of the programs and then patiently and honestly describe their content we might be interested in these programs but I would like you to give me a more detailed explanation of the content these programs are taped in our studio every week three commentaries are on each tape each one runs five minutes so we have 15 minutes of programming every week is it anti-communist commentary it is anti-communist commentary about what is happening in Cuba about what is happening in Cuba the methods by which Communists are infiltrating the fields of Education government and the military in Latin America [Music] in every corner of this troubled world the Battle For Peace and Freedom is being waged we are deeply committed to this struggle for its outcome will determine our own future as a people and as a nation at 10 15 at the University of Guayaquil Dan Claire the United States Vice council is talking with students about the overnight appearance of communist posters around their University where do these posters come from are the artists here foreign were they put up yesterday yesterday also last night recently there has been an outbreak of fish poisoning in the rivers Claire believes that the United States is being thought responsible and wants to find out why how are they getting along in palente is it true that the fish are dying what is happening foreign some say that it is caused by a substance used in cultivating bananas they are testing to see whether it will poison the fish others say it is radioactivity radioactivity strong hint that we are being blamed from what Claire learns here a course of counteraction can be planned Dan Claire 26 a new Foreign Service Officer at his first overseas post is four years out of the University of Virginia it is part of his job to maintain continuing contacts with these students who are a political influence today and will be the country's leaders tomorrow it is 11 10 in the city jail in Quito Harry Lofton consulate the embassy is looking after the interests of an American citizen in trouble here in Ecuador Harry Lofton is a native of South Carolina a graduate of the University of Southern California a veteran of four years wartime service with a Marine Corps and 15 years in the Foreign Service commissioner you have an American citizen in jail he was flying near Quito without permission his plane developed engine trouble and he was forced to land at your airport the police think he's a Smuggler and he is in jail now the problem is that he is quite sick and needs a doctor console you understand the problem is really quite serious Landing in Ecuador without permission is not permitted and the police must investigate whether it was really accidental or whether he had other reasons we cannot allow him to leave jail our officials must be notified and we will have to follow the regular legal procedures you are very understanding commissioner but we would not like this man to die in jail wouldn't it be possible to bring a doctor here we will allow a doctor to come here to see him this too is part of our mission overseas to protect the lives and property of American citizens abroad it is high noon on the docks of Guayaquil Chief board and Commercial Center of Ecuador the labor unions in South America have not always been a force for Progress they have frequently been infiltrated by extremist movements seeking levers of power but organized labor can play a crucial role in determining Ecuador's future a labor officer in Guayaquil is Martin Forrester 30 years old he holds a degree from Georgetown University and came to the Foreign Service from the staff of the international ladies garment Workers Union he is here involved in the give and take of discussion with a group of union leaders and members whose commitment is not yet clear Jim Shea our senior labor at ashay in Quito has come down from the capital to join Forrester for the meeting he is 40. comes from Connecticut and is another Georgetown graduate and former labor union man he has served in Latin America for eight years as a Foreign Service Officer Shea and Forrester speak the language of these workers and command their respect elementary school provides seven years of education and the high school and other three everything is paid for according to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement with the company let me ask you something with these goals realized how do you feel about communism are there any agitators here there is no communism here because our relations with the company are good and because of the skills acquired as a result of 0.4 if I remember correctly you were opposed to some of the provisions of the alliance for Progress because many of the workers say that the alliance doesn't do enough for the workers and the poor people of the country but that isn't the truth for example you have the labor union school stop there the advantages of the alliance for Progress do not reach the workers and the poor people directly its benefits remain with those in power and go no further it reaches the workers at the school doesn't it these two men are our voice to labor here they are able to give practical support and continuing encouragement to those who are working to make labor a dynamic and Progressive force and Ecuador it is 135 in the jungles near Santo Domingo foreign States Army team of Guerrilla warfare Specialists is helping to train the men of the Ecuadorian Army the presence of an effective military force in Ecuador will help deter and if necessary overcome any resort to Violence by groups opposed to progress [Applause] thank you at the same time on a Mountainside north of Quito a road building project is being carried out under the Civic Action Program a venture in cooperation between the Ecuadorian armed forces and our own the purpose of this Civic Action project to help bring the resources of the Ecuadorian military to bear on a positive program of Community Action to build for peace as well as for defense our military Mission Chief is Air Force Colonel C.R Meyer Dutch Meyer he and his men offer equipment training and advice [Music] Ecuadorian soldiers build a road covering only a short distance but when measured in terms of achievement it spans the distance between yesterday and tomorrow it is three o'clock in the Mountain Village of kayampe foreign s for Progress the town plan is becoming a highly effective tool for helping people to help themselves the idea is simple if the people of a community are willing to work together and pool their resources for the improvements they need their government and our government will work with them Our Man On This Town plan project here in kayambe is Leo ruellas 37 a Californian and San Jose State college graduate he had been a teacher and businessman before he came to work in our aid program this meeting the town plan Committee of kayambe is reviewing the results of two months of organizing their own resources we're concerned with the market project that's the second one listed here and I would like to begin the discussion it requires land materials and labor what resources do we have to raise the twelve thousand dollars needed in local contributions I take pleasure in telling you on behalf of the municipal Council that we have already donated 50 000 sucres the provincial Council pledges 40 000 sucras of which we have already donated twenty thousand that is the provincial Council of potentia now how are we going to solve the problem of Labor Mingus okay the people pledged twenty thousand Supras worth of Labor besides this the workers will contribute materials such as sand gravel and rocks worth about 40 000 suitcase now we still need the land has that been resolved as a member of the council I am pleased to tell you that the municipal Council bought the land for 80 000 sucrates although the United States is willing to donate fifty five hundred dollars so that the project can take place I would like to congratulate you because what you have achieved is really an example of an alliance for Progress here in the town of kayambe usted you have by your own efforts obtained all the resources we come to join with your efforts and resources to help realize the project for the benefit of all the people of kayambe pride in their own achievements and so do we strengthen our bonds with the people of Ecuador Central to our mission in South America is the inter-american alliance for progress and here in the Ecuadorian Mountain Village of kayambe the alliance is visibly at work helping people to change their own lives for the better [Music] it is late afternoon in the Barrios suburbanos the slums of Guayaquil here live ecuadorians in conditions of unbelievable squalor foreign [Music] Ty breeds anger and despair anger and despair are ingredients of violence of lawlessness of revolt in the bitterness of discontent such doctrines as communism can take root and flourish in the Barrios of Guayaquil some work for this and some work to prevent it Robert E White from Massachusetts United States consulate 37 years old graduate of St Michael's College in Vermont a Foreign Service Officer for nine years with previous service in Hong Kong and Canada Bob White is deeply concerned over the continuing growth of these slums and is trying to help inexperienced local Barrio leaders improve the conditions that exist here and is he going to send the trucks here [Music] that is still unresolved they have given us the authorization but we must first have a census to the census is completed they will then determine our needs mainly The Filling of the streets white is trying to get these people to take a first step together in their own behalf is what we want principally is a school to start educating the children so that they will become real citizens for the future well now you have an opportunity to get a school here's the character [Music] the ministerial the escuelas [Music] if you send this letter to the representative of the Ministry of Education and he gives his authorization they will send a teacher care can come in with a restaurant for the children primero let's start with the name is But first you must have the approval of the government do I make myself clear uh Bueno what other problems do we have there are many other problems for the spreading Poverty of the Barrios lies like a shroud over our hopes for a stable productive tomorrow for the people of Ecuador no it is 7 30 in the evening in Quito Earl lubensky chief of our embassy's political section and his wife have invited to their home a group of young Ecuadorian politicians lubinski is a Missourian 43 years old a graduate of Missouri Valley College and a Foreign Service Officer for 16 years we have already touched on that problem the business of the political bosses that you have here uh and I want to discuss what political parties can do in this country to overcome this problem that they admit having but these younger leaders of rival parties are trying to build for the future but what is the best way to achieve it they do not agree among themselves lubenski has been a part of many such discussions here in the last three years and has listened to with respect his job is not simple his only tools are patience and understanding and a deep knowledge of the Ecuadorian scene he does not try to win men's Minds by speaking loudly he has no set place of business no office hours he is working now one day one country a small segment of time in a tiny corner of this world a handful of Americans working to shape our future Lyndon Johnson president of the United States put it this way we have gradually become aware that America is forever bound up in the Affairs of the whole world our own future is linked to the future of all in great capitals and in tiny villages in the councils of great powers and in the rooms of unknown planners events are being set in motion which continually call upon our attention and our resources prophecy is always unsure but if anything is certain it is that this nation can never again Retreat from World responsibility we will be involved in the world for the rest of our history we must accustom ourselves to working for Liberty in the community of Nations as we have pursued it in our community of states the struggle is not merely long the struggle is unending [Music] thank you [Music] foreign