CNIES UPDATE: REQUESTING A ONE-MONTH REPRIEVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000491 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/AND, WHA/PPC, INL E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2015 TAGS: SNAR MOPS PREL EC EARI SUBJECT: CNIES UPDATE: REQUESTING A ONE-MONTH REPRIEVE REF: A. QUITO 444 ¶B. QUITO 257 ¶C. 04 QUITO 3032 Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Embassy Quito seeks a one-month delay before the USG disables the CNIES system -- in whole or in part -- in Ecuador. ¶2. (C) In recent weeks, we have seen the Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE) CNIES-energized, and worry that "flipping the switch" now could be counter-productive to negotiations. On February 25 the Embassy received FAE-proposed CNIES changes, which mainly tailor the agreement to the Ecuadorian realities (GoE prohibitions against intercepting civilian aircraft). The Department is currently studying their proposed alterations, aiming to get us a response soonest. ¶3. (C) With an additional month, we believe the FAE will sign off on a U.S.-approved text. Getting CNIES through the always suspicious and rarely helpful MFA is another matter, of course, but we at least have a cooperative POC there, something we cannot say regarding Article 98. If CNIES appears a no-go with Ecuador's diplomats, even before the end of our requested 30-day grace period, we will come back with a shut-down recommendation. ¶4. (U) The Embassy appreciates Department and Southcom consideration of this matter. KENNEY