ECUADOR NOT RUNNING FOR ECOSOC

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000377 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2015 TAGS: PHUM PREL CU EC UNGA SUBJECT: ECUADOR NOT RUNNING FOR ECOSOC REF: SECSTATE 25117 Classified By: Amb. Kristie A. Kenney for Reason 1.4 (b&d) ¶1. (C) PolOff met with MFA Director for Human Rights Julio Prado on February 15 and conveyed talking points encouraging Ecuador to continue its candidacy for ECOSOC and the Commission on the Status of Women. Prado said Ecuador's term on ECOSOC ended on December 31, 2004. After analyzing the issue the GOE has firmly decided not to run for re-election. However, Ecuador will maintain its candidacy for the Commission on the Status of Women. PolOff emphasized the importance of representation in UN bodies by democratic members in good standing, such as Ecuador, in contrast to undemocratic states like Cuba. Kenney