-DATE- 19880810 -YEAR- 1988 -DOCUMENT_TYPE- REPORT -AUTHOR- F.CASTRO -HEADLINE- CASTRO COMMENTS ON VISIT IN ECUADOR -PLACE- CUBA -SOURCE- HAVANA RADIO PROGRESO -REPORT_NBR- FBIS -REPORT_DATE- 19880811 -TEXT- Cuba's Fidel Castro Comments on Visit FL1008142988 Havana Radio Progreso Network in Spanish 1100 GMT 10 Aug 88 [Text] Commander in Chief Fidel Castro has said that he was warmly received in Ecuador and that he has faced no obstacles in that country. Fidel made these statements during his first conversation with the press since he arrived yesterday in the South American nation. Fidel said he considered the invitation to attend the transfer of the Ecuadoran Presidency to be a brave gesture, a gesture of independence which he said he appreciates very much. What we usually see is the exclusion of Cuba, said Fidel, and this is an act that marks a continental change over which some people are truly concerned. The Cuban president later said that, physically, he felt good and that he was in good spirits and was not affected at all by the altitude in Quito. In reference to this Fidel stressed: The altitude did not affect me and the lack of oxygen is compensated by the warm welcome I received. Man does not live on oxygen alone. Also during his talk with journalists, the chief of the Cuban revolution said that now, more than ever, there is more awareness in Latin America of our identity and independence. He said his stay in Ecuador is a very special occasion during a very special time because many changes have occurred in the hemisphere during the past 25 years. He recalled his last visit to South America and he added that he now is returning during a very historic time which is of much importance. Fidel's meeting with the press occurred in the afternoon during a visit to the foundation-workshop of the great Ecuadoran painter Oswaldo Guayasamin. The Cuban president was met there by a multitude of people who were waiting for him for hours. In the road in front of the foundation the crowd also cheered and throngs of people followed Fidel to the cars of his entourage. Witnesses say that the eyes of painter Guayasamin, a great artist of the continent, lit up with enthusiasm when he learned he would be Fidel's aid-de-camp during his stay in Ecuador. Several people attended the artist's museum that Fidel visited including Danielle Mitterrand, wife of the French leader, as well as political leaders like Bolivia's Jaime Paz Zamora, Peru's Alfonso Barrantes, and El Salvador's Guillermo Ungo. As our people know, Fidel arrived in Quito in the morning and was received at the airport by outgoing President Leaon Febres-Cordero and other government authorities. At the airport Fidel said his visit is proof of Latin American integration in view of those who want to see disunity among the nations of this continent. Fidel also visited the National Palace, laid a floral wreath at the (Los Vedos) Independence Monument, and paid tribute to Marshal Sucre at his tomb. In the evening, the commander in chief participated in a dinner offered by Febres-Cordero to the chiefs of state who are attending the transfer of power. During his stay in Ecuador Fidel will hold talks with Ecuadoran authorities and with the chiefs of states from Argentina, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, and Nicaragua. The Cuban president will also meet with other politicians and continental personalities in what has been called a mini-summit. Fidel is accompanied by Vice President Jose Ramon Fernandez, PCC Central Committee Secretary Carlos Aldana, Interior Minister Jose Abrantes, Vice Foreign Minister Ricardo Alarcon, and Council of State Secretary Jose Ramon [as heard] Miyar. The presence of the Cuban leader in Ecuador yesterday occupied important spaces in the press of most South American countries. The inauguration of the new Ecuadoran president, Rodrigo Borja, will take place during congressional sessions this morning and this afternoon. The presidential sash will be conferred upon Borja by congressional President (Wilfredo Lucero) in a ceremony that will be attended by foreign chiefs of state and special missions. Borja, a 53-year-old lawyer from Quito, will assume the Presidency after two previously unsuccessful attempts during the period prior to the military dictatorships. He is considered to be a founder and ideological leader of the Democratic Left Part since 1970 and he is one of the six vice presidents of the Socialist International for Latin America. -END-