Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05QUITO1352
2005-06-10 18:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Quito
Cable title:  

PUSHING FOR PROGRESS ON THE 60-DAY PLAN

Tags:  PHUM 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.
UNCLAS QUITO 001352 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR WHA/PPC, WHA/AND, AND G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL EC
SUBJECT: PUSHING FOR PROGRESS ON THE 60-DAY PLAN


UNCLAS QUITO 001352

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR WHA/PPC, WHA/AND, AND G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL EC
SUBJECT: PUSHING FOR PROGRESS ON THE 60-DAY PLAN



1. (SBU) Summary: On June 7, the Ambassador explained the
importance to the United States of the new anti-trafficking
law to General Jose Vinueza (the national chief of police),
who promised to conduct raids and arrest traffickers. First
Lady Maria Beatriz Paret responded enthusiastically on June 8
to the Ambassador's suggestions that she publicly discuss
trafficking in persons (TIP) and distribute posters to
educate the public about this scourge. We are planning a TIP
conference with the OAS for late August and will focus on
implementation of trafficking legislation, victim assistance,
and underage prostitution. UNICEF launched a campaign
against the TIP-related crimes of child abuse and
exploitation on June 10 and publicized the changes in the
criminal code. End Summary.

Ambassador Discusses TIP with Police Chief and First Lady
-------------- --------------


2. (SBU) On June 7, the Ambassador congratulated General
Vinueza on his work to combat TIP, in particular DINAPEN's
(the police that protect children) weekly raids. The
Ambassador encouraged Vinueza to take advantage of the
anti-trafficking law, which Congress passed on June 1, once
the president has signed it. Vinueza pledged his commitment
to fighting trafficking, promising to conduct raids on
prostitution houses and make arrests using the new law.


3. (SBU) The Ambassador met with the First Lady on June 8
and reiterated her concern that the GOE needs to take
significant steps forward against TIP in order to avoid cuts
in aid. The Ambassador suggested the First Lady discuss the
evils of trafficking and child prostitution in upcoming
speeches and design and distribute educational posters. The
First Lady said she was very interested in these ideas and
also wanted to help street children (potential TIP victims)
through the organization she heads, the National Institute
for Children and Families (INNFA).

OAS-Funded TIP Conference in August
--------------


4. (U) The OAS has offered to largely fund a TIP conference
in August with international trafficking experts. The
conference will focus on implementation of the legislation
Congress approved on June 1, victim identification and
assistance, the connection between alien smuggling and
trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation of minors.
Participants will represent the GOE, NGOs, international
organizations, and civil society to total approximately 100
people.

UNICEF Campaign to End Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
-------------- --------------


5. (U) UNICEF launched a media campaign against the
TIP-related crimes of child sexual abuse and exploitation on
June 10. Representatives from the government, including
INNFA and the National Commission on Women; civil society;
the private sector; and the media were present. UNICEF
director Paul Martin spoke out against child pornography and
child sexual abuse, mentioning the penal code reforms
Congress recently approved and the need to penalize the
clients of underage prostitutes.

Next Steps
--------------


6. (U) Just a week into the 60-day period, we are giving the
GOE specific suggestions on how to proceed and emphasizing
the need to act quickly. We are gathering information to
help the First Lady make the poster campaign a reality in the
near future. During the week of June 13, we will meet with
the President's advisors on the anti-trafficking law, which
he must sign or modify by June 17, and host a public forum on
TIP with GOE officials speaking about the problem. The
International Law Enforcement Academy is sponsoring a TIP
conference, beginning June 13, that includes participants
from throughout the hemisphere.
Kenney