Well, not really a bet.

I say that by Wednesday at the latest we'll hear something out of Ecuador that will sound like the government that has felt the pressure of the condemnation by the outside investing world.

Won't be enough I'm afraid. What these people forget is that the outside investing world are mostly Canadian. This isn't oil. There are other sources of gold and copper in the world, including our own vast hinterland, where our knowledge and experience came from in the first place.

Canadians, who donate generously to foreign aid and international relief, whose tax dollars build hospitals, roads and airports in emerging nations, aren't going to forget this that easily. A lot of good people lost a lot of good money here, and for no good reason.

Over the years Canada has been a friend to many nations, including the Soviet Union, Cuba and China. We don't judge. We persuade gently, lead by example, and try to understand the other guy's situation. Perhaps the fact that our own people come from all over the world helps us in that respect.

The one thing Canadians value above all else however, is fair play. We don't expect you to follow our rules, but if you don't follow your own, or apply them fairly and equally to us, as with your own people, then I guess we just aren't welcome. That's another thing about Canadians. We're very sociable people, but we don't go where we're not welcome.

ebear, friend of everyone who cuts a fair deal.