Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05QUITO2662
2005-11-21 21:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Quito
Cable title:  

COLOMBIA OFFERS OLIVE BRANCH ON SPRAYING

Tags:  PGOV PREL MOPS PTER SNAR CO 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 QUITO 002662 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PTER SNAR CO EC
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA OFFERS OLIVE BRANCH ON SPRAYING

REF: QUTIO 02643

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 002662

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PTER SNAR CO EC
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA OFFERS OLIVE BRANCH ON SPRAYING

REF: QUTIO 02643

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


1. (C) Summary: Ecuadorian Vice FM Diego Ribadeneira and
Colombian Vice FM Comilo Reyes met in Quito on November 17 to
review key bilateral issues for the December 7 ministerial
meeting. As predicted, the meeting primarily focused on
northern border security issues including migration,
refugees, and fumigations. Reyes reportedly conveyed major
GOC concession to temporarily suspend aerial fumigations
within 10 kilometers of the Ecuadorian border from January

2006. The offer has been welcomed here, and sets the stage
for more productive talks in Bogota between the foreign
ministers. President Palacio, meanwhile, has called for a
GOC apology on the recent border incursion. End Summary.


2. (C) Colombian Ambassador to Ecuador, Carlos Holguin,
confirmed to NASDir on November 18 that VFM Reyes had agreed
to temporarily halt aerial spraying along the border with
Ecuador beginning in January, adding that the suspension is
provisional and meant to appease the GOE in the short term.
Ambassador Holguin said that the GOC is currently spraying,
and that they will continue these efforts through December.
He reported that the GOC agreed to more aggressively address
the refugee issue, but noted that the November 11 raid
resulted in over 41 drug labs destroyed.


3. (C) According to MFA sources, the two governments also
committed to improve military-to-military communication for
better information exchange on potential narcotrafficking and
refugee movement into Ecuador. However, the GOE reaffirmed
its reluctance to be drawn into Colombia's internal conflict.
The vice ministers also agreed to convene a bi-national
committee on northern border development.


4. (U) FM Carrion has publicly welcomed the GOC suspension,
while expressing muted concern over its temporary nature.
President Palacio, meanwhile, has publicly encouraged the GOC
to apologize for the alleged November 11 incursion into
Ecuadorian territory (reftel).


5. (C) Comment: The GOC's suspension decision was well
received here, but FM Carrion will still likely push for help
on refugees and for some public acknowledgment by the GOC of
responsibility for the November 11 incident.
JEWELL