Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04QUITO2303
2004-08-20 16:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Quito
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR'S TOUR D'HORIZON WITH PRES. GUTIERREZ

Tags:  PGOV PREL EC 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 002303 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL EC
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S TOUR D'HORIZON WITH PRES. GUTIERREZ


Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney. Reason 1.5 (b&d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 002303

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL EC
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S TOUR D'HORIZON WITH PRES. GUTIERREZ


Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney. Reason 1.5 (b&d).


1. (C) Summary: In a private breakfast meeting with the
Ambassador and DCM on August 18 at the National Palace,
President Lucio Gutierrez discussed upcoming municipal
elections, his Cabinet, and requested additional U.S. aid for
the social sector. The Ambassador encouraged free and fair
elections, emphasized the importance of combating trafficking
in persons, described extensive USG assistance programs in
the social sector, and urged Ecuador to consider how to help
strengthen democracy in Venezuela in the aftermath of the
referendum there. Gutierrez exuded confidence and control,
despite his unpopularity. End Summary.

Elections
--------------


2. (C) Asked about the upcoming October municipal elections,
Gutierrez exuded confidence. "After all, I control the purse
strings," he said. Asked about the major mayorships up for
election, Gutierrez said he believed Gen. (ret.) Paco Moncayo
would win Quito. The Ambassador noted that the USG is
scrupulously neutral in Ecuador's internal political affairs.
She raised the need for the Executive to carefully separate
affairs of state from partisan political activity, saying the
free and fair elections in October will truly be a feather in
the president's cap. A successful and fair election would
culminate a year of positive exposure for Ecuador on the
international stage.

TIP and Cabinet: Changes Ahead
--------------


3. (C) President Gutierrez hinted that there may be changes
in his Cabinet after upcoming elections, but did not
elaborate on specific planned changes. (Note: he recently
said the same publicly.) The Ambassador praised the
President and Minister of Government Raul Baca for this
leadership on the important issue of trafficking in persons.
The President agreed that TIP is a very important issue, and
mentioned the press conference to take place later that day
at which he would sign a decree making TIP official
government policy. The President said he had established a
Commission to develop a national plan related to TIP and
proposed legislative reforms to strengthen prosecutions
against traffickers. The Ambassador noted great interest and
leadership in the Ecuadorian Congress on this issue by key
members, including Jacqueline Silva (PSC) and Miriam Garces
(ID),and highlighted USG interest in working together with
other nations to jointly combat this scourge.

Social Sector Assistance
--------------


4. (SBU) Gutierrez made a pitch with the Ambassador for
additional USG assistance in the social sector, as he had
done with CoDel Weller (septel). What is needed, he said, is
a "Plan Ecuador" to invest in social infrastructure in health
and education to combat poverty and external threats fueling
political instability. The DCM noted that several USG
assistance programs designed to address these concerns will
be announced in September, including $20 million in INL
funding and $20 million from AID. The Ambassador mentioned
the series of unquantifiable Medrete exercises we conduct to
provide health services to Ecuadorians, which target
under-served and indigenous areas.

Venezuela
--------------


5. (C) The Ambassador raised with the President the need for
Venezuela's Andean neighbors to consider how to contribute to
the strengthening of Venezuelan democracy in the wake of the
referendum. Public aspiration for democracy was reflected in
the patience and determination of voters to endure long lines
to cast their referendum vote. Gutierrez agreed this is an
important issue to consider.

Comment
--------------


6. (C) Gutierrez appeared relaxed, in control and
optimistic, despite his low popularity in the polls. Perhaps
energized by recent campaign-like trips to inaugurate public
works projects in areas his party has electoral hopes, his
manner belied conventional wisdom that the Patriotic Social
Party is heading towards electoral oblivion. (Note: the
party narrowly failed to meet the 5% threshold in the 2002
election, and will lose its official registry if it fails to
do so in the upcoming municipal elections.) Gutierrez'
naming of Moncayo as the clear favorite in the Quito mayoral
race was also somewhat odd, since most view that race as very
tight. It may be explained by the fact that although now
political competitors, Moncayo and Gutierrez served together
in the Army, and Moncayo has referred to Gutierrez as a
protege.

KENNEY