COLOMBIA OFFERS OLIVE BRANCH ON SPRAYING

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