ECUADOR GENERALLY SUPPORTIVE OF USG UN AGENDA

UNCLAS QUITO 001733

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KUNR AORC EC UNSC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR GENERALLY SUPPORTIVE OF USG UN AGENDA

REF: REFS: (A) STATE 111637 (B) STATE 111657


1. ADCM and PolIntern met on July 20 with MFA
under-secretary for Multilateral Affairs Miguel Mendez and
Human Rights officer Maria Elena Moreira to convey points in
reftels. Mendez indicated the GOE was generally supportive
of the USG agenda for UN reform and the September High-Level
Event, but said that official decisions had not yet been
taken. President Palacio and Foreign Minister Parra will
attend the HLE; it had not yet been determined which of them
deliver the speech to the General Assembly. Mendez said that
he expected the speech's focus to be on the importance of
education and economic development through investment in
technology.

DEVELOPMENT AND DEMOCRACY
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2. Mendez expressed support for USG's development focus and
the Monterrey Consensus and said this is the GOE's main
priority for UN reform as well. Mendez said he expected the
GOE would support the proposed Democracy Fund.

HUMAN RIGHTS
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3. In July 7 meeting with Moreira, PolIntern conveyed USG
support for creation of a Human Rights Council. Moreira said
the GOE would likely approve of this idea, and generally
agreed with USG positions on issues of peer review and
structure. However, GOE would like clarification of
requirements for membership on the proposed committee to
ensure objectivity. For his part, Mendez also expressed
strong approval for the creation of the Human Rights Council,
citing the GOE's priority on effective human rights.

UN MANAGEMENT REFORM
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4. MFA officials expressed general agreement with USG
recommendations of budgetary, management, and administrative
reform of the UN. Mendez said GOE shares USG interest in a
more efficient and transparent UN; he believes GOE will
likely support the creation of an Office of Internal
Oversight Services.

PEACEBUILDING
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5. Mendez expressed interest in the USG proposal for
creation of a Peacebuilding Commission, saying the GOE would
review it carefully before taking a decision. He agreed on
the importance of peacebuilding efforts, saying the GOE
opposes violence of any sort. Without committing GOE support
for the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism,
he said the GOE shares the USG goal of increasing
international security.

ECOSOC AND UNGA
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6. Mendez agreed with the USG position on UNGA reform,
particularly on reform of ECOSOC. The GOE supports the
modernization and refocusing of UN institutions for increased
effectiveness and transparency, and agrees that political
conflicts over membership need to be minimized.
HERBERT