Results Report: Sub-regional IV program

UNCLAS QUITO 002892

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ECA/PE/V/G/W, WHA/PDA; WHA/AND
GUAYAQUIL FOR NOUHRA
AMEMBASSIES FOR PAO/CAO

E.O. 12958:
TAGS: SCUL EC KPAO OEXC
SUBJECT: Results Report: Sub-regional IV program
"Transparency and Good Governance" for Andean
Municipal Leaders, Sept. 19-Oct. 7

REFTEL: A) Quito 1386 B) Quito 2704


1. Summary: Esmeraldas Mayor Ernesto Estupinan found
the program on "Transparency and Good Governance" to be
useful overall, but noted that the program lacked focus
on issues of direct relevance to mayors. He felt this
was a significant weakness, and that future programs
should include meetings with U.S. mayors on such
specific topics as waste management, infrastructure and
other responsibilities shared by municipal leaders. End
Summary.


2. Date: September 19-October 7, 2005, fourth quarter,
FY 05.


3. MPP Theme and Audience Reached: Strengthening
Democracy.


4. Justification and Objective: See reftel.


5. Description of Activity: Three-week program for
Andean municipal leaders on "Transparency and Good
Governance." Visitors traveled to Washington, D.C.,
Boston, MA; Kansas City, MO; Denver, CO; and Atlanta,
GA.


6. Result/Impact: Good. Highlights follow:

Ernesto Estupinan, mayor of largely Afro-Ecuadorian
Esmeraldas, reported that the trip was a positive
experience overall. (Note: Ref B contains the Results
Report from a second Ecuadorian participant in the
program, Alberto Coles). Estupinan noted that it was
valuable to get an overview of the representative
democracy practiced in the U.S., and said he now has a
much better understanding of how various levels of
government function. Simply being in the U.S. with
fellow mayors of Andean countries was beneficial.

However, he said he felt the program was not
sufficiently tailored to the interests of the
participants, i.e. mayors of Andean towns. He would
have like more substantive discussions with U.S. mayors
on topics that confront all municipal governments such
as waste management, transportation, maintaining
infrastructure and other city services. He regretted
that there were not more opportunities to exchange ideas
with U.S. mayors, to discuss common challenges and to
share common solutions. He felt that "though our
systems of government are different, the problems are
the same."

Mr. Estupinan also would have liked to meet with
multilateral institutions and NGOs, particularly those
that have programs in Ecuador. He wanted to find out
more about what programs are available in Ecuador. The
mayor felt that some of the topics in the program were
of little interest to mayors, though when asked he could
not cite any examples.

Overall, the trip was "a positive experience" despite
what Mr. Estupinan saw as some weaknesses. He is in
contact with the participants from other Andean cities,
and hopes they will come to Carnival in Esmeraldas.


7. Media Coverage: N/A.


8. Non-USG Support: N/A.

9.Quality of Support: Excellent. The participant said
the program was well-organized and the participants
"very well cared for."

JEWELL