Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06QUITO2262
2006-09-08 18:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Quito
Cable title:  

AMB'S TOUR D'HORIZON WITH FM CARRION

Tags:  PREL PGOV UNSC MOPS CO EC 
pdf how-to read a cable
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5230
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 5958
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 2009
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ SEP 0072
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 0949
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL PRIORITY 1128
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 002262 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC MOPS CO EC
SUBJECT: AMB'S TOUR D'HORIZON WITH FM CARRION

REF: A. QUITO 02173

B. QUITO 02148

Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman for reasons 1.4 (B&D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 002262

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC MOPS CO EC
SUBJECT: AMB'S TOUR D'HORIZON WITH FM CARRION

REF: A. QUITO 02173

B. QUITO 02148

Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman for reasons 1.4 (B&D)


1. (C) Summary: In a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador
on September 7, FM Francisco Carrion said the UNSC decision
is pending with President Palacio; relations with Colombia
have been smoothed over after the recent errant mortar
incident; shared his positive impressions of Bolivian FM
David Choquehuanca's visit; implicitly confirmed rumored
reasons behind MinDef Jarrin's surprise resignation; and
lobbied for a positive USG signal on ATPDEA renewal and
resumption of FTA negotiations. The Ambassador urged a vote
in favor of Guatemala; congratulated Carrion for his
cooperative relations with regional counterparts; and
suggested the GOE take steps to improve the climate in
Washington for ATPDEA renewal and the FTA. End Summary.

UNSC Issue to be Decided by Palacio
--------------


2. (C) The Ambassador highlighted the merits of Guatemala's
bid for the United Nations Security Council and noted
Venezuela's disruptive behavior in international fora.
Carrion said he recently submitted a memorandum to President
Palacio outlining the pros and cons of supporting either
Guatemala or Venezuela. Carrion resisted revealing whether
he had recommended a choice, saying only that the memo
included mention of Ecuador's historic ties to Venezuela; and
also Chavez's rash decision to leave the Community of Andean
Nations, his failure to deliver on numerous bilateral
promises to Ecuador, and his disruptive antics in
international meetings. It was clear that Carrion has found
it frustrating and difficult working with Palacio lately, and
that this will be a personal decision taken by the President.


Colombia Mortar Incident Resolved
--------------


3. (C) Carrion told the Ambassador that the GOE was
satisfied with the September 6 diplomatic note from Colombia.
The note acknowledged that the mortar originated in
Colombian territory and accepted responsibility for
compensating Ecuadorian victims. It stopped short of

clarifying whether it originated from the FARC or the
Colombian military. Carrion said he had phoned Colombian FM
Maria Araujo before the note was issued to stress the need to
quickly resolve the issue in terms favorable to the victims.
While he regretted the GOC's slow response, Carrion said that
he considered the matter resolved (For more background, see
Refs A and B).

Bolivian Foreign Minister
--------------


4. (C) Carrion said that Bolivian Foreign Minister David
Choquehuanca's visit to Ecuador on September 4-5 had been a
positive one. He said the Bolivian FM was clearly new to
diplomatic protocol, but that he found Choquehuanca to be
intelligent and pragmatic. Choquehuanca complained about
Chavez's precipitous departure from the Andean Community,
making regional integration more difficult. Carrion said
Choquehuanca had told him the GOB is interested in having
good relations with the United States and that the visit by
their VP to Washington had gone well.

Who Lost Jarrin?
--------------


5. (C) Carrion noted that former MinDef Jarrin's sudden
resignation was a loss for Ecuador, adding that the two men
were friends and shared a vision of the future for the
country. Carrion initially claimed to be in the dark about
the reasons behind the resignation. When the Ambassador said
some believe former president Leon Febres Cordero might have
forced the resignation based on energy sector economic
interests, Carrion smiled and responded that "you are very
well informed."

Final Press for ATPDEA
--------------


6. (C) Carrion highlighted GOE efforts to combat narcotics
trafficking through Ecuador, which he believed justified
ATPDEA extension. The Ambassador noted that ATPDEA is a
congressional matter still under consideration adding that in
Washington, ATPDEA is viewed more as a trade issue than about
the counter-narcotics fight. Carrion said he was aware of
this, but the Ecuadorian public was not. On the FTA, Carrion
stressed the importance of returning to the negotiating table
under the Palacio government, if only to force the next
government to take up the issue quickly after taking office.
The Ambassador asked if Palacio was truly committed to finish
FTA talks. Carrion said yes.


7. (C) The Ambassador suggested the GOE focus on improving
the climate for renewed FTA talks. Carrion said the GOE was
working to get some commercial disputes resolved in a show of
good faith, and said that he was ready to return to
Washington to request renewal of FTA negotiations. The
Ambassador said that such a visit would be more productive
after concrete progress had been made on outstanding issues.
Carrion said he was working to arrange a meeting with "less
confrontational" business leaders and President Palacio, to
repair relations strained by the pause in FTA negotiations.

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


8. (C) Carrion's evasiveness on the Venezuela/Guatemala UNSC
recommendation and vague complaint about Palacio furthers our
concerns that Palacio may be leaning toward Venezuela. Given
the state of indecision here, a call from Washington or
Guatemala City to Palacio could help persuade the President.
JEWELL