Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05QUITO2480
2005-10-31 21:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Quito
Cable title:  

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

Tags:  PREL IS EC UNGA 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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

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