GOE RATIFIES INTER-AMERICAN CONVENTION AGAINST

UNCLAS QUITO 001905 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER EC SUBJECT: GOE RATIFIES INTER-AMERICAN CONVENTION AGAINST TERRORISM ¶1. (U) The Ecuadorian Congress ratified the Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism (IACAT) on May 9. The Convention was subsequently signed by President Palacio, and was sent to OAS headquarters on July 14. Ecuador is awaiting confirmation from its OAS delegation of the date of deposit of the ratification. Adopted by the OAS on June 3, 2002, the Convention seeks to prevent the financing of terrorist activities, strengthen border controls, and increase law enforcement cooperation, among other measures. With Congress's May 9 decision, Ecuador becomes the 18th of 33 signatories to ratify the Convention. ¶2. Comment: Post will closely monitor implementation of the Convention here, which could, if managed effectively in combination with the anti-money laundering law passed in 2005, help the GOE confront terrorist activities in Ecuador. BROWN