ECUADOR SENDING ENGINEERS, TROOPS TO HAITI

UNCLAS QUITO 002602

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS MARR PREL SMIG EC HA UN
SUBJECT: ECUADOR SENDING ENGINEERS, TROOPS TO HAITI


1. The Government of Ecuador has directed that EC Army
engineers and soldiers travel to Haiti to participate in
UN-directed peacekeeping (PKO) operations and natural
disaster (hurricane) relief. Embassy officials learned
September 23 that the first Ecuadorian deployment will
include 66 combat engineers, heading to the Caribbean October
16 as part of the Chilean contingent. A second EC
deployment, numbering 220, also is likely, and might assume
southern Haiti duties now handled by Uruguayan soldiers.


2. Ecuador's high command enthusiastically supports the
humanitarian mission, and the Embassy believes its forces can
handle the demanding assignment. Further, the EC joint
command recently established an international peacekeeping
training operation, and the UN just completed a PKO symposium
in Ecuador.


3. COMMENT: We too support Ecuador's involvement in
multilateral peacekeeping and disaster assistance operations.
Experience gained working with the hemisphere's militaries
in Haiti might even result in better cooperation with
Colombia, a must if Ecuador desires an end to lawlessness and
narcoterrorist incursions on its northern border. END
COMMENT.
KENNEY