Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06QUITO1112
2006-05-04 21:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Quito
Cable title:
FM CARRION CRITICAL OF USG TERRORISM REPORT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHQT #1112 1242124 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 042124Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY QUITO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4235 INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA IMMEDIATE 5590 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA IMMEDIATE 0560 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAY 9808 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA IMMEDIATE 3598 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS IMMEDIATE 1718 RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA IMMEDIATE 0610 RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL IMMEDIATE 0387 RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 001112
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014
TAGS: PTER PGOV KJUS MARR CASC ASEC EC
SUBJECT: FM CARRION CRITICAL OF USG TERRORISM REPORT
Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman, Reasons 1.4 (b&d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 001112
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014
TAGS: PTER PGOV KJUS MARR CASC ASEC EC
SUBJECT: FM CARRION CRITICAL OF USG TERRORISM REPORT
Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman, Reasons 1.4 (b&d)
1. (C) Summary: FM Francisco Carrion on April 30 publicly
regretted the Department's 2005 Country Report on Terrorism
for Ecuador. He refuted the report's claim that Ecuador's
historical neglect of the region had compounded its current
woes, and rejected assertions that Ecuador is neutral in the
regional narco-terrorist effort. Carrion said that the GOE
remains committed to fighting terrorism and
narco-trafficking, but would not be pressured by the U.S. to
intervene in Colombia's internal conflict. Privately,
Carrion's protest was more muted; we do not believe the flap
will damage ongoing security cooperation. End Summary.
No Neglect of Border
--------------
2. (SBU) FM Carrion, responding to the Department's 2005
Country Report on Terrorism for Ecuador, told the press on
April 30 certain assertions in the report were "unacceptable"
Ecuador. He rejected the suggestion that Ecuador's
historical neglect of the region had caused a rise of
narco-terrorist influence in the area. Despite limited
resources, he said, Ecuador has moved 7-8,000 troops to the
border region to prevent the use of Ecuadorian territory by
Colombian irregulars and to combat illicit activity. Rather
than criticize GOE efforts, he said, the U.S. should assist
Ecuador with this expense, and encourage the GOC to do more
to secure its southern border. Carrion also affirmed the
GOE's commitment to encouraging socioeconomic development in
the region, citing recent bi-national integrated development
agreements with Colombia as evidence.
Ecuador Won't Be Pulled in
--------------
3. (SBU) Carrion objected to the report's reference to GOE
"neutrality" in the regional narco-terrorist fight, adding
that Ecuador has demonstrated its commitment to combat
narco-trafficking and terrorism. He said that the GOE would
not be pressured into entering Colombia's internal conflict,
but would remain faithful to its historic tradition of
non-intervention in the internal affairs of its neighbors.
4. (SBU) Responding to press inquiries about how his
criticism of the report might affect GOE hopes of returning
to FTA negotiations, Carrion said that the FTA was a separate
issue. He stated emphatically that the GOE would not
sacrifice its principles and national interest to conclude
FTA negotiations, no matter how beneficial to Ecuador.
Ecuador had amply demonstrated its resolve to combat
narco-terrorist encroachment out of principle, not due to
external pressure, he said.
Private Conversation
--------------
5. (C) On May 2, during a private meeting with the
Ambassador on another subject, Carrion referred to the
report, calling it "unfair." The Ambassador noted that the
report had a balance of negative and positive points.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) Carrion's muted private protest suggests his public
statements were for local consumption. We appear to be over
this flap and do not believe USG-GOE CN and CT cooperation
will be damaged by the report's reception here. We are also
convinced that USG interests are best served by highlighting
ongoing cooperation with the GOE. The mission released a
press bulletin noting the positive points of Ecuadorian
cooperation during the year.
JEWELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014
TAGS: PTER PGOV KJUS MARR CASC ASEC EC
SUBJECT: FM CARRION CRITICAL OF USG TERRORISM REPORT
Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman, Reasons 1.4 (b&d)
1. (C) Summary: FM Francisco Carrion on April 30 publicly
regretted the Department's 2005 Country Report on Terrorism
for Ecuador. He refuted the report's claim that Ecuador's
historical neglect of the region had compounded its current
woes, and rejected assertions that Ecuador is neutral in the
regional narco-terrorist effort. Carrion said that the GOE
remains committed to fighting terrorism and
narco-trafficking, but would not be pressured by the U.S. to
intervene in Colombia's internal conflict. Privately,
Carrion's protest was more muted; we do not believe the flap
will damage ongoing security cooperation. End Summary.
No Neglect of Border
--------------
2. (SBU) FM Carrion, responding to the Department's 2005
Country Report on Terrorism for Ecuador, told the press on
April 30 certain assertions in the report were "unacceptable"
Ecuador. He rejected the suggestion that Ecuador's
historical neglect of the region had caused a rise of
narco-terrorist influence in the area. Despite limited
resources, he said, Ecuador has moved 7-8,000 troops to the
border region to prevent the use of Ecuadorian territory by
Colombian irregulars and to combat illicit activity. Rather
than criticize GOE efforts, he said, the U.S. should assist
Ecuador with this expense, and encourage the GOC to do more
to secure its southern border. Carrion also affirmed the
GOE's commitment to encouraging socioeconomic development in
the region, citing recent bi-national integrated development
agreements with Colombia as evidence.
Ecuador Won't Be Pulled in
--------------
3. (SBU) Carrion objected to the report's reference to GOE
"neutrality" in the regional narco-terrorist fight, adding
that Ecuador has demonstrated its commitment to combat
narco-trafficking and terrorism. He said that the GOE would
not be pressured into entering Colombia's internal conflict,
but would remain faithful to its historic tradition of
non-intervention in the internal affairs of its neighbors.
4. (SBU) Responding to press inquiries about how his
criticism of the report might affect GOE hopes of returning
to FTA negotiations, Carrion said that the FTA was a separate
issue. He stated emphatically that the GOE would not
sacrifice its principles and national interest to conclude
FTA negotiations, no matter how beneficial to Ecuador.
Ecuador had amply demonstrated its resolve to combat
narco-terrorist encroachment out of principle, not due to
external pressure, he said.
Private Conversation
--------------
5. (C) On May 2, during a private meeting with the
Ambassador on another subject, Carrion referred to the
report, calling it "unfair." The Ambassador noted that the
report had a balance of negative and positive points.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) Carrion's muted private protest suggests his public
statements were for local consumption. We appear to be over
this flap and do not believe USG-GOE CN and CT cooperation
will be damaged by the report's reception here. We are also
convinced that USG interests are best served by highlighting
ongoing cooperation with the GOE. The mission released a
press bulletin noting the positive points of Ecuadorian
cooperation during the year.
JEWELL