MFA'S COOLER HEADS ON COLOMBIA, PERU

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 002724

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: TEN YEARS
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL EC
SUBJECT: MFA'S COOLER HEADS ON COLOMBIA, PERU

Classified By: PolChief Erik Hall for reason 1.4 (b&d)


1. (C) Summary: Vice Foreign Minister Diego Ribadeneira
told the Charge on November 30 that FM Francisco Carrion
would like to pay an official visit to Washington in January
or February. Ribadeneira, who took office in October when
Carrion replaced outgoing FM Antonio Parra, highlighted the
importance of good bilateral relations with the U.S. to
combat unhelpful "ultra-nationalist" pressures which
characterized the previous minister. Those pressures convert
foreign policy issues into "political footballs," citing the
fumigation issue with Colombia as an example. The Peruvian
government's recent actions on the maritime border is another
example of an issue which, if not carefully handled, will
stir up a nationalist reaction here. End Summary.

Washington Visit
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2. (SBU) The Charge and PolChief paid a courtesy call on
Ribadeneira November 30 to open dialogue. Ribadeneira was
eager to offer himself as a channel for communication on
important bilateral issues, saying FM Carrion had encouraged
him to do so. Carrion wished to visit Washington in January
or February, in recognition of the importance of the U.S. to
Ecuador. The details of a visit could be easily worked out
between us, he said, but added that it would be important to
assure that Carrion had some opportunity to meet with the
Secretary, if only briefly. Ribadeneira contrasted Carrion's

SIPDIS
policy of dialogue with Ecuador's partners and neighbors with
the former minister's ultra-nationalist line, especially with
Colombia, which he faulted for its ineffectiveness.

Colombia
--------------


3. (C) Ribadeneira said his talks with Colombian VFM Reyes
had been productive, and he would continue them in Bogota on
December 2 to help prepare for the bilateral meeting between
FMs on December 7. The GOE wishes better relations with
Colombia across the board, based fundamentally on the
principle of GOE "solidarity" with the GOC in its internal
challenges. Ribadeneira was quick to clarify that solidarity
implies moral support, not material or military involvement
in its neighbor,s internal affairs. The GOE also seeks GOC
recognition of (and funding support for) the spillover
effects of its conflict in Ecuador, specifically the
Colombians displaced into Ecuador.


4. (C) Ribadeneira cited fumigation as an example of an
issue "ultra-nationalists" have converted into a political
symbol, making resolution more difficult. He also said that
he had no doubts that those who benefit from
narco-trafficking also actively exploit the issue. The Charge
expressed concern about the tone of a diplomatic note
received by Embassy Bogota from the Ecuadorian Embassy there
on the fumigation issue, and clarified some of its mistaken
assertions. Ribadeneira said he was unaware of the note, but
urged the USG to "consider it a dead issue, not requiring
response." The note probably reflected political
intervention in response to nationalist pressures, he said.
More important than diplomatic protests about the safety of
glyphosate, according to Ribadeneira, was progress in
bilateral understanding on the issue. VFM Reyes' announced
temporary suspension of fumigation within 10 km of the border
had been very welcome in Quito, he said. The GOE privately
recognizes the GOC's full prerogative to pursue its
counter-narcotic fumigation policy. What they seek, he
explained, is greater sensitivity to the very real political
problems that the border spraying presents for Ecuador. They
do not seek suspension of spraying across the entire border
region. A satisfactory outcome would be agreement to suspend
spraying specifically in zones adjacent to Ecuadorian
villages, he said. For its part, the GOE is proposing to
revive the bi-national commission and promote contacts
between the two nations' military and civilian authorities on
a variety of issues.

Peru
--------------


5. (C) Another issue which, mishandled, could become a
nationalist cause here is the Peru-Chile maritime boundary.
The GOP is asking for Ecuador's support in its dispute with
Chile, a request Ribadeneira called "ridiculous." He termed
the Peruvian parliament's attempt to delineate baselines for
its claim as "utopian, since the Chileans will never give in
on this issue." The GOP has also protested Ecuador's recent
statement in support of Chile's position, and is seeking to
link a pending electricity cooperation agreement to the
maritime border issue - which Ribadeneira termed little more
than blackmail. The meeting was interrupted by a call from
FM Carrion on this issue--Ribadeneira recommended not
responding to the Peruvian attempt at linkage, despite
Ecuador's serious electricity shortage. Their goal is to keep
this from becoming a highly politicized and public issue.

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


6. (C) We support the FM's request to be received in
Washington by the Secretary, if it can be arranged. A visit
would offer Ecuador's new FM a credibility boost, rewarding
his more moderate approach and shielding him from nationalist
attack. Ribadeneira's openness offers an opportunity to
circumvent the more unhelpful MFA mid-ranks on important
issues. His participation in talks with Colombia and Peru is
also encouraging, and is clearly already bearing fruit with
the former. We are especially encouraged that the GOE seems
to have backed off its aggressive stance on fumigation, and
is focusing its energies on advancing a broader dialogue with
its neighbor to the north.

Biographic Info
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7. (SBU) Diego Ribadeneira Espinosa, 55, is a career
diplomat who most recently served as Ambassador to Brazil
from 1999-2005. He has also served abroad in Honduras,
Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Chile. He served as MFA Secretary
General (VFM-equivalent) in the 1990's during the negotiation
of a peace treaty with Peru, and is appreciative of the very
positive role played by the USG in that process. Ribadeneira
was born in Quito. He studied law and political science at
Quito's Catholic University. He is married and has five
children.
BROWN