Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05QUITO652
2005-03-22 23:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Quito
Cable title:  

EMBASSY LOBBYING HARD FOR CUBA RESOLUTION

Tags:  PHUM CU EC CHR 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000652 

SIPDIS

STATE PLEASE PASS TO WHA/CCA, DRL/MLA, AND IO/SHA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2015
TAGS: PHUM CU EC CHR
SUBJECT: EMBASSY LOBBYING HARD FOR CUBA RESOLUTION

REF: A. QUITO 625


B. SECSTATE 44494

Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney for Reason 1.4 (B)

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000652

SIPDIS

STATE PLEASE PASS TO WHA/CCA, DRL/MLA, AND IO/SHA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2015
TAGS: PHUM CU EC CHR
SUBJECT: EMBASSY LOBBYING HARD FOR CUBA RESOLUTION

REF: A. QUITO 625


B. SECSTATE 44494

Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney for Reason 1.4 (B)


1. (C) Summary: We understand the critical need for Ecuador
to support the UNHRC resolution on Cuba and the impact every
country has on the outcome. Historically Ecuador has
abstained on the issue of Cuba. The GOE is politically
unstable and considers Cuba a sensitive issue. Given the
situation in Ecuador, it will be quite difficult to convince
the GOE to vote in favor of the resolution. Nevertheless, we
have a comprehensive strategy to lobby high-level GOE
officials, and the Ambassador and DCM are actively working
their contacts. After we finish discussions in Quito, likely
we will recommend Washington officials make a few calls to
reinforce our efforts. (See paragraph 5.) End Summary.

Ecuador Historically Cautious on Cuba
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


2. (C) The GOE is very cautious on the issue of Cuba and has
an historic policy of abstention on Cuba-related
international organization resolutions. Cuba is a
politically sensitive issue for Ecuador's weak government,
and most GOE decisions of late are driven by a desire to
maintain political stability. Ecuador has only voted in
favor of the UNHRC resolution on Cuba once, in 1999, and does
not have a good track record of stepping up to the plate on
controversial issues. Furthermore, Cuban influence in
Ecuador is surprisingly invasive, especially in indigenous
areas (Cuban doctors, educational exchanges, etc.); Gutierrez
does not want to give the indigenous another reason to take
to the streets.

Robust Action Plan Targets High-Level Officials
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


3. (SBU) From the Ambassador down, we are discussing the
importance of the Cuba vote with our GOE contacts and
emphasizing this opportunity for Ecuador to assert its lack
of tolerance for flagrant human rights offenders, such as
Cuba. The Ambassador called President Gutierrez, ostensibly
to wish him a happy birthday but actually to discuss his
possible Venezuela trip (septel) and Cuba. He was in the
middle of a public event but wanted to meet with her next
week to discuss the issues further. She also discussed the
matter with Minister of Foreign Trade Ivonne Baki by
telephone and will follow up in person. FM Patricio
Zuquilanda is out of the country until March 31, but the
Ambassador has arranged a meeting with him as soon as he
returns.


4. (SBU) The DCM is also lobbying his contacts. In FM
Zuquilanda's absence, he will call Vice FM Edwin Johnson, who
is in New York currently. The DCM also plans to talk to
Presidential Secretary Carlos Polit, one of the Embassy's
closest Cabinet contacts. Acting PolCouns met with
presidential advisor Carlos Larrea today and urged him to
push to change Ecuador's stance on Cuba. We also will meet
with Mauricio Pozo, Ecuadorian Ambassador-designate to
Washington. Last we will canvass friendly missions,
especially the Spanish and Holy See's, which have helped us
in the past in basic human rights-related demarches.

Comment:
- - - -


5. (C) Convincing Ecuador to support the Cuban resolution
will be an uphill battle. However, we appreciate the
significance of Ecuador's vote and are determined to use our
access fully. We will report back with the results of these
meetings and will recommend Washington's assistance in
placing phone calls to key GOE decision makers once we have
fully discuss this issue in Ecuador. We anticipate calls by
Assistant Secretary Roger Noriega to FM Zuquilanda and Deputy
Secretary Robert Zoellick to President Gutierrez to be the

SIPDIS
best complements to our efforts.
KENNEY