AMBASSADOR PROTESTS ATTACKS ON CIVIL SOCIETY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 000536 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM EC SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PROTESTS ATTACKS ON CIVIL SOCIETY REF: A. QUITO 468 ¶B. QUITO 424 ¶1. (SBU) The Ambassador on March 7 expressed concern to President Lucio Gutierrez about the latest in a series of attacks on civil society groups, involving the Ecuadorian NGO "Citizen Participation" (PC),an AID democracy program grantee. Gutierrez claimed not to be aware of the incident, a hostile march and break-in to PC's offices, which occurred earlier in the day, but promised to investigate it fully. The Ambassador sent Embassy security personnel to the scene during the incident and later personally called PC director Cesar Montufar to express Embassy concern and solidarity. The Embassy spokesman publicly condemned any acts of violence or threat against civil society and encouraged more civil political discourse. We will monitor GoE efforts to investigate this and other recent cases. End Summary. Facts of the Case -------------- ¶2. (U) Around 0900 local time on March 7 approximately 50-100 persons arrived at PC offices in Quito, chanting slogans and carrying placards identifying them as members of "Zero Corruption." This group was formed by the Ecuadorian Roldosista Party (PRE) of fugitive ex-president Abdala Bucaram in December 2004 to support the government and the newly-packed courts. Protesters shouted threats against PC director Cesar Montufar, forced entry onto the grounds and sprayed the premises with anti-PC and anti-US graffiti. Upon hearing of the incident, the Embassy sent police security patrols to the scene. The protesters remained outside PC offices for an hour before dispersing when police and media arrived. PC staff remained sequestered inside their offices during the incident but were unhurt. The Ambassador later called Montufar, who said he and his staff were shaken but undeterred, and expressed appreciation for Embassy efforts on PC's behalf. ¶3. (U) Montufar had become a controversial public figure since helping organize and participating in the February 16 anti-government protest march in Quito. He subsequently made public USG and European financial support to PC for its electoral monitoring and pro-democracy activities. The action against PC came after a series of incidents threatening the security of various government opponents, including a March 5 shooting attack on a socialist congressman, Enrique Ayala Mora. In response to growing security concerns, on February 25 the IACHR had requested GoE protective measures for ten opposition figures, including Montufar. Amnesty International and Transparency International had recently called publicly for the government to thoroughly investigate recent incidents of intimidation and violence against the opposition. Ambassador Weighs in with President -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Ambassador expressed concern to President Gutierrez about the implications of this incident at a previously-scheduled lunch (SepTel) on March 7. The Ambassador noted growing concern about what some perceive to be a pattern of violence and intimidation of government critics. She defended the role of civil society groups such as PC, which seek to defend democracy, occasionally by protesting government actions. USG support for such pro-democracy groups is non-partisan and would continue. Later the same day, in response to press inquiries, the Embassy spokesman was quoted condemning "any act of violence or intimidation against members of civil society" and emphasized the need for dialogue and civilized, non-violent political discourse. ¶5. (SBU) Gutierrez, who had recently returned to the capital from a trip to the Galapagos and Guayaquil, claimed that he had not heard of the incident. He thanked the Ambassador for bringing it to his attention, and promised to investigate. Unfortunate recent incidents of violence and intimidation were not in the government's political interest, and must be stopped. Gutierrez said he had called Ayala in the hospital to express his support. Comment -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Gutierrez' professed unawareness of the action to pressure PC is certainly possible but suspect. The "Zero Corruption" group is a creation of the PRE, a government ally and defender of the packed courts. A presidential advisor had earlier conveyed to us Gutierrez' personal pique at PC leader Montufar for his activism directed against him, personally, and the current Supreme Court (Ref A),and the MFA summoned the AID director to inquire about PC's US financing (Ref B). Nevertheless, Gutierrez' acknowledgment that such actions hurt, not help, the government, seemed sincere. We will continue to press for a full investigation of this and other incidents to prevent further abuses. KENNEY