CAREER DIP TO HEAD ECUADOR'S WASHINGTON EMBASSY

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 003151

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS USTR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL EC
SUBJECT: CAREER DIP TO HEAD ECUADOR'S WASHINGTON EMBASSY


Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, Reason 1.4 (b)


1. (C) SUMMARY: President Lucio Gutierrez told the
Ambassador on December 2 that he would nominate MFA Bilateral
U/S Roberto Betancourt to head Ecuador's embassy in
Washington. The career diplomat will replace political
appointee Ambassador Raul Gangotena, who submitted his
resignation November 30. Betancourt has not been an ally on
issues of USG interest in the past but, unlike Gangotena, he
enjoys excellent relations with Foreign Minister Patricio
Zuquilanda. We believe it would be counter-productive to
deny agrement and recommend instead that Washington officials
seek to engage Betancourt early on key bilateral issues, such
as ongoing FTA talks and stalled Article 98 negotiations.
Biodata appears in Paragraph 7. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) FM Zuquilanda called the Ambassador on November 29 to
preview the replacement of Gangotena with a "more dynamic"
career diplomat, saying President Gutierrez had suggested we
be informed before making the change public. The Ambassador
expressed regret and praised Gangotena as an ally on the FTA.
The next day, Gangotena called the Ambassador to inform her
that he had submitted his resignation at the FM's request,
understanding the need of the president for flexibility
building political coalitions at home. He later spoke to the
press, which reported Gangotena's respect for the president's
need for "utmost flexibility in personnel matters."


3. (C) Gutierrez told the Ambassador and DCM at a December 2
working breakfast that he would nominate Roberto Betancourt,
the MFA's Number 3, to head Ecuador's mission in Washington.
The key position required a professional diplomat, the
president believed, skilled in negotiation and well-versed in
trade matters. Betancourt fit the bill.


4. (C) The Ambassador thanked the president and offered
Embassy assistance in the agrement process. She regretted
the resignation of Gangotena, noting that Gangotena was a
credit to the GoE's diplomatic corps, and would be missed.


5. (C) COMMENT: Like most MFA diplomats, Betancourt is
polished and professional. Unfortunately, he also shares
with his colleagues less attractive attributes, namely a
1960s-era anti-Americanism and enduring skepticism of USG
motives. As Ecuador's Article 98 POC, for example, he
steadfastly skirted good faith negotiations, preferring to
seek waivers instead. Similarly, as the Foreign Ministry's
FTA coordinator, he earned the ire of our U.S. Trade
Representative colleagues for diversionary tactics.


6. (C) Seeking the silver lining in this nomination, we are
left with Betancourt's close relations with boss Zuquilanda.
Although neither would admit problems, it was an open secret
the FM and Ambassador Gangotena rarely spoke, much less
coordinated on policy. We feel assured that Washington
entreaties toward the new Ecuadorian envoy will quickly reach
Quito. As a skilled and trusted diplomat, Betancourt will
likely be trusted to engage on the substance of key bilateral
issues, including Article 98 and the FTA. The Foreign
Ministry has already requested agrement; despite Betancourt's
previous unhelpfulness, we believe it counterproductive to
reject the request. To temper negative attitudes and make
bilateral progress, we recommend Washington officials reach
out to Betancourt early and often. END COMMENT.


7. (U) BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Roberto Betancourt Ruales, 54,
entered Ecuador's diplomatic academy in 1969. After
graduation, he earned an advanced degree in economics from
Quito's Catholic University, studied regional development at
the Federal University in Belem, Brazil, and attended the
Chilean government's diplomatic school. His resume
highlights both bilateral and multilateral assignments;
Betancourt has served in Ecuador's embassies in Chile,
Uruguay, and Colombia, as well as in its UN, WTO, FAO, and
Andean Community of Nations (CAN) missions. Before assuming
his current role as chief of bilateral affairs, he headed the
MFA's multilateral office and was Ecuador's FTAA head of
delegation.
KENNEY