FIRST MEETING WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT CORREA

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 002940

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL ETRD SNAR EC
SUBJECT: FIRST MEETING WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT CORREA

Classified By: PolChief Erik Hall for reasons 1.4 (b&d)


1. (SBU) Summary: President-elect Correa was extremely
cordial and effusively thanked the Ambassador for President
Bush's call, which he clearly had not expected and
characterized as generous and "classy." The Ambassador
emphasized that the bilateral relationship is starting fresh,
and that Correa's words would be as important as deeds to
build trust and confidence. Correa agreed that there are
many areas of convergence in the relationship, and emphasized
that his government would fully cooperate in the fight
against narcotics trafficking. Correa delivered a letter to
the Ambassador urging ATPDEA renewal, which appeared to be
drafted as a form letter to be sent to U.S. members of
Congress (included at end of this cable). The Ambassador
told him the Administration supported ATPDEA renewal for all
four Andean countries, but Congressional action was uncertain
given a variety of issues involved, including sentiment
caused by his opposition to an FTA. Both pledged to continue
to explore areas of cooperation and convergence, while
keeping a channel of direct communication open on all issues.
End Summary.


2. (U) The Ambassador met with President-elect Rafael Correa
at our request on December 1 at his office. The one-on-one
meeting was scheduled for a half hour, but stretched to a
full hour. At Correa's request, the meeting was preceded by
a photo-opportunity. His office also released a press
statement after the meeting and asked that the Embassy do the
same.

Starting Fresh
--------------


3. (SBU) Correa effusively thanked the Ambassador for
President Bush's congratulatory call of November 30, asking
her to convey his appreciation for the President's "grace"
and "classiness" in offering a clean slate for good
relations. Correa reminded the Ambassador he had publicly
disavowed his earlier insulting comments about President
Bush, and said the President's call had been unexpectedly
generous.


4. (SBU) The Ambassador emphasized that Correa's words would
be as important as his government's deeds in shaping a
constructive relationship with the United States. She
affirmed our commitment to strengthening democracy and its
institutions, and underscored the importance of respect for
the bounds of the constitution. He faced the challenge of
ensuring that his government reflects his intentions and not
those of some of the more radical voices advising him.
Correa agreed, saying that managing his team would take "firm
leadership." He fervently assured the Ambassador that he and
his advisors were honest and sincerely committed to the
public interest, contrasting his team with defeated
presidential candidate Alvaro Noboa's.


5. (SBU) Correa returned throughout the conversation to the
theme of necessary "cultural change" in Ecuador, and his
affinity with U.S. culture. For example, he professed
discomfort with Ecuadorian sexual stereotyping that made him
uncomfortable, such as dancing with beauty queens (as he had
done the night before at an event commemorating Quito days)
and forcing his reluctant wife into the role of First Lady
(she was nervous about assuming this role, he said). Racism
remains pervasive here, he said, not in the law but in
practice. He contrasted Ecuadorian obsession with class,
reflected in the emphasis on genealogical roots, with the
American individualism that he found refreshing and much
preferred. He repeatedly said his goal was to create an
Ecuadorian middle class.

CN Cooperation
--------------


6. (SBU) The Ambassador raised the serious and growing
threat to Ecuador's sovereignty posed by narco-trafficking
and related illegal activity. Correa was quick to assure the
Ambassador that his government would be "totally committed"
to the fight against narcotics trafficking. The Ambassador
offered at a future date to arrange a briefing for Correa and
his senior team on counter-narcotics realities as we see them
and effective U.S.-Ecuador cooperation in this field. Correa
accepted enthusiastically.

Economics
--------------


7. (SBU) Correa expressed interest in ATPDEA extension
debate in the U.S. Congress, providing a letter addressed to
the Ambassador on the issue. The Ambassador said the
Administration position in favor of renewal for all four
Andean nations had not changed, but the matter would
ultimately be decided by Congress. She explained how the
process was unfolding and some of the factors involved. She
noted that because most members of Congress viewed the ATPDEA
benefits as a stepping-stone to an FTA, his position against
an FTA could prejudice support for Ecuador's renewal. A
positive decision on Colombia and Peru seemed to enjoy
broader support than renewal for Ecuador and Bolivia.


8. (SBU) Going beyond the shared counter-narcotics fight and
preferential access to the U.S. market, the Ambassador
emphasized areas of convergence and mutual interest that
merit further exploration, and Correa reciprocated this
interest. Economic competitiveness/job creation, labor and
custom reform, the environment and the fight against
international crime including trafficking in persons were all
worthy of cooperation and joint efforts. Correa agreed,
asking for USG suggestions on how to improve customs, crack
down on abusers of worker rights, and provide additional
alternatives for fishermen in the Galapagos. He said he
hoped to convince his wife to assume the leadership of INNFA,
the national child and family institute, which has played a
critical role educating Ecuadorians to the dangers of
trafficking in persons.

Personnel
--------------


9. (SBU) The Ambassador did not press Correa on his Cabinet
choices, but found an opening to express our concern about
the rumored appointment of Rene Vargas Pazzos as Minister of
Defense. Correa said that he would not be appointing Vargas.
He confirmed that he was committed to appointing a civilian,
and hinted it might be recognized military expert Bertha
Garcia. The Ambassador asked if he had thought about who he
might name as his Ambassador in Washington. Correa said he
had not given the matter sufficient thought, but joked that
he had "lots of friends who loved the U.S." to choose from.
He also indicated he was considering retaining the current
Minister of Education, which the Ambassador strongly
supported.

Next Steps
--------------


10. (SBU) Correa asked if a trip to the U.S. would help
assure ATPDEA passage. The Ambassador noted that Congress
might act as soon as next week on the issue, making it too
late to coordinate an effective trip at this stage, but if
Congress deferred action then the idea could be revisited.
She emphasized early opportunities for Correa to engage with
Department and Congressional leadership, in expected upcoming
visits by WHA A/S Shannon and CoDel Reid. Correa said he
would be happy to do so. Correa and the Ambassador agreed
that direct communication was essential to understanding
between the two governments, and both pledged to keep
personal lines of communication open.

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


11. (SBU) Correa was clearly "wowed" by the president's call
and continues to signal warmth and interest in constructive
relations in private. While the atmospherics could not be
better, we will have many opportunities to test the limits of
apparent goodwill in coming weeks and months.

ATPDEA letter translation
--------------

November 30, 2006

Addressed to Ambassador Jewell

On November 16, 2006, I had the honor of sending a letter to
all of your Honorable Members of the House of
Representatives, in my capacity as presidential candidate to
the Republic of Ecuador. In that letter I asked that you
favorably consider extending the ATPDEA.
Today, as President-elect of Ecuador, I wish to address you,
one of the important leaders of the House of Representatives
(of the Senate),to express the same request. The ATPDEA was
established by the United States as support for our efforts
against narco-trafficking, where we utilized important human
and economic resources, and will continue doing so because
this is not one country's cause but of all humanity.

The existence of these trade preferences has helped us in a
very important way to generate employment in the production
of goods destined for export to U.S. markets. Whoever has
dignified employment does not look for employment
opportunities related to narco-trafficking, and neither do
they wish to emigrate to the U.S. to support their families.
Suspension of ATPDEA benefits might generate negative results
in the continuous effort that our country pursues against the
enormous power of narco-trafficking.

The ATPDEA program is an example of cooperation that enriches
relations between our two peoples. We appeal to both your
level of comprehension and sensibilities that through your
positive actions, the U.S. Congress prior to the closing of
its current session, extend these trade preference benefits
for at least one more year, and if possible, for an
indefinite period. The people of the four Andean nations,
and Ecuador in particular, will be grateful.

The extension of ATPDEA will prove to be an important sign
that relations between the United States and Ecuador will
continue to be friendly and as productive as they have always
been.

Cordially, Rafael Correa Delgado, President-Elect of Ecuador

BROWN