Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05QUITO2506
2005-11-04 18:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Quito
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MFA

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREL EC 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 002506 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: TEN YEARS
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL EC
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MFA

REF: QUITO 02193

Classified By: Jarahn D. Hillsman, Reasons 1.4 (b&d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 002506

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: TEN YEARS
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL EC
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MFA

REF: QUITO 02193

Classified By: Jarahn D. Hillsman, Reasons 1.4 (b&d)


1. (C) Summary: In her initial meeting with Foreign Minister
(FM) Francisco Carrion on November 1, the Ambassador
reaffirmed the importance of respecting constitutional bounds
for reform, urged the MFA to revitalize the GOE
inter-ministry working group on TIP, and reminded the FM that
the GOE,s reluctance to agree to Article 98 continues to
restrict our support. Carrion emphasized the need for
reforms by the constituent assembly. He expressed his dismay
over the lack of development along the northern border, and
discussed the need to develop a new bilateral framework for
relations with neighboring Colombia.


2. (U) This was the Ambassador's first meeting with FM
Carrion since he replaced former FM Parra, now ambassador in
Madrid (reftel). The Ambassador was accompanied by DCM.
Undersecretary for Bilateral Affairs, Susana Alvear, and
Ambassador Rafael Veintimilla, Director of Bilateral Affairs,
attended with Carrion. End Summary.

MFA Scheduling Appointments for Summit
--------------


3. (SBU) Carrion said that the MFA was busily processing
last-minute bilateral meeting requests with Peru, Argentina,
Brazil, and the United States in Mar del Plata. The
Ambassador said a bilateral pull-aside was unlikely to be
added to the US-Andean meeting, given scheduling conflicts.
Carrion added that the Chileans and OAS Secretary General
Insulza had requested meetings with Palacio. Carrion
believes Ecuador's participation in the Summit of the
Americas could not have come at a better time; issues such as
governance, migration, and job creation to be discussed by
the region's governments are of particular interest to the
GOE. Carrion assured the Ambassador of Ecuador's unequivocal
commitment to combat narco-trafficking and terrorism. He
noted that he was Ambassador to Spain during the train
bombings, where seven Ecuadorians lost their lives, and he
understands that terrorism knows no boundary and Ecuador has
a stake. He also expressed his fondness for the U.S. and for
our &way of doing business8, adding that in his opinion the
USG-GOE relationship is the most important one to Ecuador.


High Hopes for the Constituent Assembly
--------------


4. (C) Carrion is clearly supportive of President Palacio's
constituent assembly. Carrion said that he has many friends
in Congress, and has contacted them personally to press for
their support for Palacio,s initiative. He is hopeful that
a new constitution will form the institutional foundation for
a new Ecuador, allowing the GOE to better attend to the
welfare of the people through better education and
healthcare.


5. (C) Carrion asked for the Ambassador's opinion on the
current political situation. The Ambassador said that the
trajectory of the country is for Ecuador to decide; however,
the avenue must remain within the bounds of the constitution.
Carrion agreed, adding that Palacio hoped to deliver the
proposal to Congress before he departed for Argentina (NOTE:
Palacio presented his proposed referendum question allowing
the voters to decide whether and how to organize a national
assembly on November 2). Carrion believed that this would
force the Congress to be responsive to the desires of
Ecuadorian citizens in favor of overdue change.


6. (C) Carrion said a draft statute would accompany the
proposal to Congress. The statute would outline the
framework for the formulation of a constituent assembly, open
to both political parties and civil society. It would also
affirm that previous international agreements and the issue
of dollarization would be "fenced off" from consideration in
the constituent assembly. The newly reformed or created
constitution would only take effect after January 15, 2007,
allowing the current Congress, which would remain untouched
in 2006, to debate and vote on the FTA.

Optimistic over Supreme Court
--------------


7. (SBU) The FM was optimistic that the Supreme Court
process is progressing, adding that he believed it would be
up and running in a month or so. The Ambassador said that
the formulation of a Supreme Court would be a critical step
forward; and that the U.S. and the international community
stood ready to help legitimize the new court.

Shocked by Conditions along the Northern Border
-------------- --


8. (C) Recalling his recent study tour of the Northern
Border region, Carrion expressed his shock over the social,
political, and economic isolation of residents there.
Clearly moved by what he saw, Carrion insisted that a new
constitution should address the needs of these "forgotten"
people. He also acknowledged USG assistance in the NB
region, and suggested that more was necessary.

Pushing for Progresson TIP
--------------


9. (SBU) The Ambassador took the opportunity to mention USG
efforts against trafficking-in-persons. She briefed the FM
on USG supported initiatives to help curb the problem, and
said the GOE needed to do more to move off tier three next
June. The GOE inter-ministerial working group was in
disarray after continual instability in the Ministry of
Government, and must be revitalized. Carrion, apparently
unaware of the existence of the group, asked how he and the
MFA could add real &value8 to this fight. The Ambassador,
suggested that the MFA consider chairing the group. Carrion
was receptive to the idea, and said he would ask his staff to
follow.

Forging a New Bilateral Relationship with Colombia
-------------- --------------


10. (C) Carrion said he would meet with Colombian FM
Carolina Barco at Mar del Plata, and their vice-ministers
would convoke a bilateral meeting later this month to
negotiate a new framework for bilateral relations. The
agreement would be signed in mid-December.


11. (C) The new framework, according to Carrion, would seek
a greater focus on NB security issues, call for increased
Colombian military presence along the Ecuadorian-Colombian
border, demand greater GOC resources in support of the
250-400,000 refugees currently living in Ecuador, renew
discussions on investment and trade, and make another push to
get the GOC to halt aerial spraying along the border.


12. (C) The Ambassador discussed USG efforts to support the
GOE in the NB region, citing investment in equipment,
physical infrastructure improvements, and technical training.
She said the issue of aerial spraying was a bilateral one
between Ecuador and Colombia, but said the USG is convinced
of the safety of glyphosate. The Ambassador explained that
GOE reluctance to sign article 98 and the subsequent
sanctions have impacted our ability to do more. Carrion said
he understood, but countered that the current political
climate made it impossible for the GOE to agree to article 98
requests.

Comment
--------------


13. (C) Carrion impressed us as intelligent and sincere. He
seems much more likely than his predecessor to achieve
progress in relations with Colombia by energetically working
with Colombia to increase cooperation and understanding. He
also shows greater vision, and has initiated an effort to
deliver a plan for Ecuador's foreign policy through 2020.
Carrion's meeting with FM Barco in Mar del Plata will be
their second in several weeks. Parra met with her just twice
in six months.


14. (C) Carrion's energy is a welcome change, as is his
reasonable tone. Defense of national threats and his
President are clearly paramount to him , but we will continue
to enlist his support on TIP and other priority bilateral
issues.
JEWELL