ECUADOR COMMITED TO USG TIP RECOMMENDATIONS

UNCLAS QUITO 002571 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/PPC, WHA/AND, AND G/TIP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL EC SUBJECT: ECUADOR COMMITED TO USG TIP RECOMMENDATIONS REF: A. SECSTATE 194082 ¶B. SECSTATE 200150 ¶1. PolOff delivered reftel talking points including elements of a USG-supported action plan to combat TIP, to Carlos Jativa, the Minister of Government Raul Baca's assistant, on September 16. In a follow-up meeting with PolOff on September 20, Baca and Jativa concurred with the Tier 2 Watch List action plan requirements. PolOff informed the Minister that the Embassy is required to provide the Department a report of Ecuador's actions by November 15. ¶2. Baca described his Ministry's proposal to open new shelters for TIP victims in Guayaquil and Quito and requested USG financial support. (The proposal was faxed to WHA/PPC on September 22.) He said he will also solicit support from other international donors, including UNICEF. Baca told the PolOff he was working with Congress to ensure anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) legislation is passed; President of Congress Landazuria assured him TIP legislation would be among Congress' priorities. The Ministry is also working with the police to develop an online method of reporting crimes of child pornography. ¶3. On September 21, PolOff delivered refel talking points to Denys Toscano in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Toscano said the MFA would strive to provide input on GOE progress on items in the action plan before November 15. He is concerned the Ministry of Government's anti-TIP legislation is too narrow and that it does not make sufficient reference to the Palermo Convention and international protocols. We are reviewing the legislation to ensure it meets international standards. KENNEY