ECUADORIAN JOINT CHIEF VOWS CONTINUED U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 001024

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2015
TAGS: MARR MASS PREL SNAR PTER EC CO
SUBJECT: ECUADORIAN JOINT CHIEF VOWS CONTINUED U.S.
ENGAGEMENT

REF: QUITO 962

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: Positive atmospherics surrounded the
Ambassador's initial call on new Ecuadorian Joint Forces
Commander Admiral Manuel Zapater, the admiral recalling
fondly their years-earlier meetings in Guayaquil. Zapater
promised continued Ecuadorian security collaboration with the
United States. The GoE would not abandon its northern
frontier, he assured, but rather sought U.S.-provided
intelligence to allow a better focused border defense. END
SUMMARY.


2. (U) Ten days into his tenure, Zapater welcomed the
Ambassador for a May 4 courtesy call; instead of the service
chiefs, their chiefs of staff accompanied the Ecuadorian
admiral. Unlike similar gatherings, the atmosphere was
informal and friendly, owing to a relationship forged during
the Ambassador's many visits to Guayaquil.


3. (C) Zapater promised his command would seek even closer
relations with its U.S. counterpart. An example was ANSEC,
the Southcom-sponsored conference of Andean nations' military
leaders, slated for Guayaquil and Galapagos in November.
Ecuador had pushed hard to host the conference, which before
had left Miami only once; Zapater promised his forces' full
engagement with regional neighbors.


4. (C) Turning his focus north, the Admiral emphasized that
Ecuador had no intention of rolling back its augmented force
posture along the Colombian frontier. "We won't get involved
in Plan Colombia," he asserted, but would remain vigilant to
the threats posed by Colombian narcoterrorists. Ecuador's
soldiers and marines were well-trained, equipped and
committed; what they lacked was actionable intelligence.
Zapater hoped the United States might provide what his forces
needed.


5. (C) The Ambassador repeated our well-worn refrain that
neither Colombia nor the United States wanted the GoE
"involved" in Plan Colombia, an initiative designed "por y
para" (for and by) Colombians. Ecuador's security forces
must protect Ecuadorian sovereignty and territory from
narcoterrorist incursions. Careful not to promise
intelligence, owing to complex U.S. legalities, she noted
that various USG entities might be willing to assist.


6. (C) Southcom commander General Bantz Craddock would make
a return visit to Ecuador in June, the Ambassador revealed.
Craddock sought to travel north and witness the difficult
terrain and harsh climate that challenged Ecuadorian troops
along the frontier. He also wished to see U.S. assistance
first-hand, whether it be donated Humvees or USAID water
projects. The Ambassador hoped Zapater and/or his staff
might accompany.


7. (C) COMMENT: Zapater is a known quantity; we did not
expect major policy swings from him, nor much strategic
vision. We worried, however, that clamoring from Palacio's
left and nationalist wings might prompt the high command to
retrench and perhaps retreat somewhat from the border. The
admiral raising his commitment to the north therefore
surprised us, but pleasantly. With the Craddock visit, we
hope to lobby him further on the benefits of close U.S.
relations and the need to fortify the frontier.
KENNEY