ECUADOR OPEN TO SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS ALTERNATIVE

UNCLAS QUITO 002065 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL EC SUBJECT: ECUADOR OPEN TO SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS ALTERNATIVE REF: STATE 158875 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The GOE's representative at the September 7-9 Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG) meeting in Buenos Aires told us the GOE shares USG concern over progress of the declaration and agrees that a leaders statement may be a necessary alternative. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) MFA summit coordinator Ambassador Mauricio Montalvo told PolChief on September 6 that the GOE shares USG concern over the plodding pace of negotiations of a Declaration and Plan of Action for the 2005 Summit of the Americas. Previous negotiating sessions were painfully slow, he said, and at this rate at least one additional SIRG meeting would be necessary in October to have any hope for consensus at the November summit meeting. ¶3. (SBU) Montalvo said the GOE is "practical" and willing to consider alternatives such as a leaders statement focusing on the role of democratic governance, the private sector, the free market and trade in generating jobs and prosperity. Foreign Minister Parra shares the view, he said, that the declaration negotiation is proceeding too slowly and that alternatives should be considered. ¶4. (SBU) We recommend further engagement by the USdel with Montalvo in Buenos Aires. JEWELL