NOTES ON NEW ECUADORIAN AMBASSADOR TO UN

UNCLAS QUITO 000346

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV CU MX EC CHR
SUBJECT: NOTES ON NEW ECUADORIAN AMBASSADOR TO UN

REF: SECSTATE 22969


1. (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador and DCM met with
newly-named Ecuadorian Ambassador to the UN, Jaime Moncayo
Garcia, to express USG interest in a collaborative
relationship at the UN. Separately, PolChief raised deep USG
concerns over a Mexican human rights initiative (RefTel).
Moncayo expressed eagerness to engage with USUN after his
arrival in New York in early March. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Moncayo met with the DCM and PolChief on February 9
at our request. The Ambassador joined the meeting to
congratulate Moncayo on his posting and offer Embassy
assistance to help smooth his transition to New York.
Moncayo was appreciative and expressed interest in
cooperative and friendly relations with USUN. He planned to
call on Ambassador Anne Patterson, a friend from his time as
Ambassador in Washington, shortly after his arrival in New
York, in early March.


3. (SBU) Moncayo said he was evaluating Ecuador's chances
for a temporary seat on the Security Council in 2007
(Guatemala and Venezuela are already contending within
GRULAC, he said),and would report back to FM Zuquilanda once
he reached a conclusion. In doing so, he said, he would also
have to factor in existing resource constraints which might
limit Ecuador's abilities to shoulder this additional
responsibility. Ecuador is hopeful that Security Council
reform (i.e., expansion) be included in a resolution for
debate at the 2005 General Assembly.


4. (SBU) PolChief expressed to Moncayo deep USG concern
that Mexico's proposed informal consultation initiative
within GRULAC could be used to prevent a country-specific
resolution on Cuba at the UNCHR. Moncayo was surprised to
hear of the Mexican initiative, saying it seemed to go beyond
GRULAC's usual non-binding and non-substantive consultative
mechanisms.

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


5. (SBU) We consider Moncayo to be friendly toward and open
to dialogue with the United States. Traditionally, Ecuador's
UN ambassadors exercise wide latitude on voting issues.
Moncayo, who owes his position to FM Zuqilanda, may be less
likely than his predecessor to act independently.
Regardless, we encourage USUN to engage early with Moncayo to
encourage mutual understanding. We will follow-up separately
on the Mexico-GRULAC initiative, and encourage Ecuador's
candidacy for the Commission on the Status of Women.

Bio Notes
--------------


6. (SBU) Moncayo is a former Ambassador to the U.S.
(1989-92),Finance Minister (1974-75),and member of
Ecuador's negotiating team which resolved border disputes
with Peru in 1998. He earned a masters degree in public and
international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh in
1967, and is married to the former Susan Gurin, an AmCit.
Their daughter (also an AmCit) also lives in NYC.
Kenney