Chevron managed to get this case removed to Ecuador on foreign non conveniens grounds, ending what might have appeared to be a slam-dunk settlement, and since then has fought a scorched-earth battle to prevent any judgment there from being enforced outside Ecuador.

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The BBC's Tim Reid, outside the embassy, said Ecuador had accused the UK of "intimidating" behaviour and that it was "surprised and disappointed" by what had gone on.

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What Moscow will do if things get tough, is maintain its observer status with OPEC, all while pushing bilateral deals outside OPEC forums with the likes of Nigeria, Iran, Venezuela, Ecuador and Algeria.

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The main event in 2010 was a flood of money into the Western Hemisphere outside the U.S., led by Brazil but also featuring Canada, Argentina, and Ecuador.

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