GOE OPEN TO HOLOCAUST RES., LESS SO ON ANTI-ISRAEL

UNCLAS QUITO 002480 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL IS EC UNGA SUBJECT: GOE OPEN TO HOLOCAUST RES., LESS SO ON ANTI-ISRAEL BIAS REF: A. SECSTATE 188927 ¶B. SECSTATE 188933 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: MFA U/S for Multilateral Affairs Mauricio Montalvo told DCM and PolChief that the GOE may be open to voting in favor of an Israeli-sponsored holocaust resolution, but that it would be more difficult to change its votes on other anti-Israeli resolutions. He expressed appreciation and agreement with our points on both issues and suggested USUN contact the Ecuadorian mission to discuss the holocaust resolution. End Summary. Holocaust Resolution -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Without firmly committing the GOE, Montalvo agreed that Ecuador might be able to support a holocaust resolution. Doing so would be made easier by the fact that the resolution was new, and could therefore be treated on the merits. For more on Ecuador's position on Israel's Holocaust resolution, Montalvo suggested USUN contact Ecuador's new Ambassador to the UN, Diego Cordovez. As one of Ecuador's most senior diplomats, Montalvo implied, Cordovez will have considerable latitude to influence the GOE's position on the issue. Anti-Israel Bias -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Montalvo agreed with our view that many anti-Israel resolutions in various UN fora are a distraction. Nevertheless, it would hard to change Ecuador's established position on the resolutions (in favor of the Palestinian cause),he said. Doing so would open the GOE to criticism at a sensitive time. We urged Montalvo rise above traditional posturing to do the right thing. He was noncommittal, saying much will depend on the views of FM Carrion, a personal friend. Bio note on Diego Cordovez -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Cordovez served in the Ecuadorian foreign service until 1963, when he joined the UN, serving first in UNCTAD and later in ECOSOC. As UN U/S for Political Affairs 1981-88 he was involved in mediation of the Iran-Iraq war and Afghanistan. He served as Foreign Minister under President Rodrigo Borja (1988-92) and subsequently tried but failed to win the UN SecGen position in 1992. He later served as UN special advisor and to resolve conflicts in Libya-Malta, Cyprus, and Venezuela, and practiced international law in New York. Cordovez was a failed vice presidential candidate (with Guayaquil Social Christian party mayor Jaime Nebot) in ¶1996. JEWELL