ECUADOR-USA:QUITO,ECUADOR,16FEB00 - Thomas Pickering, U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs (L), talks with Ecuadorean President Gustavo Noboa (R) in Quito during an official visit to Ecuador February 16. Pickering's visit to Ecuador, where the elected president was ousted recently and replaced by the vice president, will focus on the importance the United States attaches to adhering to democratic processes.

GG/MMR