He looked for a long time.
Then he raised his head and said to the secretary beside him:
"Send a note to the Mexico Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Say that the interim government of Ecuador appreciates Mr. Victor's reforms. We are willing to learn from Mexico's experience to promote our own constitutional reforms."
The secretary was taken aback.
"Mr. President, we just—"
"I know." Urtado interrupted him, "But precisely because we are just starting, we need to learn. Learn the right things, not the wrong ones."
He stood up and walked to the window.
Outside the window, the streets of Quito were coming back to life. There were more pedestrians, shops had opened, and even the kids playing soccer on the street corner were more than a few days ago.
"The Mexicans hit us, but they also saved our future."
He murmured.
"Now we must walk on our own."
February 21, 1998, Washington D.C., White House.
