Create a database with ecpg - Mailing list pgsql-interfaces

I include the following statement in my program to create a database:

"EXEC SQL CREATE DATABASE testbase;"

Then I compiled it, using ecpg, but the database was't been created.

When a try to open it with "psql" I receive the message:

Connection to database 'testbase' failed.
FATAL 1:  Database testbase does not exist in pg_database

Is there any mistake in my statement?

P.S.: I compiled the program without receiving any mistake message.

Thank you.

Rodney.