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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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