MINDEF'S RESIGNATION SURPRISES MANY

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 002173

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014
TAGS: PREL MARR MASS MOPS SNAR PTER EC CO
SUBJECT: MINDEF'S RESIGNATION SURPRISES MANY

REF: A. QUITO 02152

B. QUITO 02151

Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman, Reasons 1.4 (b&d)


1. (C) Summary: Minister of Defense Oswaldo Jarrin resigned
on August 28, citing disagreement with unspecified aspects of
relations with Colombia and defending Ecuadorian military
participation in the anti-narcotics fight. Jarrin's surprise
departure has generated much speculation about the reasons
behind the resignation here, ranging from his sensitivity to
criticism of his recent defense "white paper" to Jarrin's
discontent over a weak GOE response to the Puerto Nuevo
mortar incident which left three civilians wounded (Ref A).
Jarrin has publicly refuted the latter as his motive; he
maintains that unnamed elements opposed to military
counter-narcotics efforts forced his exit. Foreign Minister
Francisco Carrion publicly supported Jarrin, and denied any
disagreement over Jarrin's white paper. President Palacio
immediately appointed retired general Marcelo Delgado, who
has ties to former president Leon Febres Cordero (PSC),as
Jarrin's successor. On taking office Delgado pledged to
continue the fight against narcotics trafficking but said he
would need to review Jarrin's "white paper." End Summary.

Surprise Resignation
--------------


2. (C) Immediately after briefing reporters on the status of
the accidental Colombian mortar incident, Jarrin abruptly
resigned on August 28. In doing so, Jarrin told reporters
that unspecified "diverse" sectors had failed to fully
comprehend his efforts, especially as they relate to
relations with Colombia and the Ecuadorian military's
involvement in fighting narcotrafficking. In the wake of the
resignation, military officers close to Jarrin told us that
Jarrin and Palacio had disagreed over the handling of the
August 28 Puerto Nuevo incident, with Jarrin advocating a
stronger GOE response. Palacio allegedly gave Jarrin an
(unspecified) ultimatum, and Jarrin chose to resign rather
than comply.


3. (U) On August 29, Jarrin publicly elaborated on his
motives for leaving office, refuting speculation he had
resigned over the handling of the Puerto Nuevo incident.
Instead, he implied his exit was forced by unnamed opponents
of military's counter-narcotics efforts. "It seems that in
this country those who occupy illicit businesses have more
allies than those worried about security of the State",
Jarrin told the press. Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco
Carrion on August 29 also denied rumors that Jarrin's
resignation was the result of a weak diplomatic response to
the Puerto Nuevo incident. Going further, Carrion claimed
relations between the Defense and Foreign ministries had been
"impeccable," and expressed his personal admiration for
Jarrin as "a true professional and patriot."

GOC Response to Mortar Incident Still Pending
--------------


4. (U) The MFA formally protested the August 24 Puerto Nuevo
mortar incident by note to the GOC on August 25. The note
called for the Colombian government to explain their actions,
compensate victims, and adopt measures to avoid future
activity in their territory that might negatively impact the
lives and property of Ecuadorians, and confirmed that the
mortar originated in Colombian territory.


5. (U) Colombian Ambassador to Ecuador, Carlos Holguin, on
August 28 claimed the shooting was not premeditated by the
GOC and alleged the FARC had fired the round. An Ecuadorian
military investigation, however, found that the mortar was a
type used by the Colombian military, and Jarrin repeated this
claim at a press conference immediately before resigning.
Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos on August 28
publicly lamented the accidental mortar incident and said
that the GOC would respond via diplomatic channels soon.

New Defense Minister an LFC Man
--------------


6. (U) Palacio swore in retired general Marcelo Delgado
Alvear as Minister of Defense late on August 28. Delgado
said that he would strengthen the armed forces, work towards
moving pending military reforms through the Ecuadorian
Congress, and that he would protect Ecuadorian national
sovereignty in accordance with diplomatic and
inter-institutional agreements that mark territorial respect
between neighboring countries. He committed to continued
collaboration with the Ecuadorian National Police in the
anti-narcotics fight, noting that together the two
institutions have already had great success. Delgado on
August 29 told the press that it would be necessary to make
unspecified revisions to Jarrin's "white paper."


7. (U) Delgado served as the Ecuadorian Military Attache to
the United States, Section Chief of the Military Heads of the
Joint Chiefs, Commander of the Special Forces, Director and
professor of national security at Ecuador's Army War College,
Army Intelligence Director, and Director for Military
Security at the Presidential Palace (1984-1988, under
then-president Febres Cordero). Delgado has served as
president for a major security firm (Security Systems
Consultants and Auditors),a flower grower/exporter (CULVAR
S.A.),and a company specializing in sale of products derived
from petroleum (OPOR S.A.).

Comment
--------------


8. (C) Jarrin's unexpected resignation is a real loss for
Ecuador and has left many searching for answers. We remain
in the dark about the details of his run-in with Palacio, but
now suspect other motives behind Jarrin's exit. Jarrin's
suggestion that pro-narco elements may have had a hand in his
departure casts doubt over his replacement's commitment to
Jarrin's strategic vision (largely shared by us) to
restructure and target the military to fight the narco threat
here. We will engage Delgado to encourage him along the
right path, and defer our judgment until it can be based on
his actions as minister.
JEWELL