ECUADOR: WAR OF WORDS WITH COLOMBIA OVER, FOR NOW

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000406 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EC SUBJECT: ECUADOR: WAR OF WORDS WITH COLOMBIA OVER, FOR NOW REF: A. QUITO 00374 ¶B. QUITO 00308 ¶C. QUITO 00258 Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman for Reasons 1.4 (b&d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Foreign Minister Francisco Carrion on February 12 announced an end to the temporary diplomatic contretemps brought on by the accidental violation of Ecuadorian airspace by Colombian military units on January ¶28. FM Carrion said that the GOE, having accepted the GOC,s February 10 diplomatic note expressing confidence in President Alfredo Palacio and Ecuadorian institutions, is hoping to return to prior bi-national border development discussions. VFM Diego Ribadeneira told the DCM that in the wake of FM talks in Cartagena on February 13 the MFAs of Ecuador and Colombia would shortly issue joint statements reaffirming commitment to the bilateral cooperation agenda agreed upon in December. Ecuador's Ambassador could be sent back to Bogota shortly if President Palacio approves. End Summary. GOE Declares End to Impasse -------------- ¶2. (U) FM Carrion on February 12 told the press that he "considered the diplomatic impasse with Colombia concluded and that Ecuador was looking to continue bi-national development efforts." He also reiterated GOE calls for Colombia to strengthen its security posture along the border, to hopefully avoid such incidents in the future. Carrion on February 13 traveled to Cartegena to meet with FM Carolina Barco and foreign ministers from Mexico and Central America for scheduled talks on migration and narco-trafficking. ¶3. (C) VFM Ribadeneira told the DCM that bilateral discussions between Carrion and Barco on February 13 had been "productive and definitive." Pending President Palacio's approval of a draft text, both country's ministries would shortly issue statements reaffirming respect for sovereignty and recommitting to the bilateral cooperation agenda agreed upon in December 2005. The MFA would also recommend to Palacio that Ecuadorian Ambassador Ramiro Silva, recalled for consultations at the height of bilateral tensions, be sent back. GOC Expresses Confidence in GOE -------------- ¶4. (U) The GOC on February 10 reportedly sent a second diplomatic note to the Ecuadorian embassy in Bogota, reiterating GOC respect for Ecuador and expressing confidence in President Alfredo Palacio and Ecuadorian institutions. The noted expressed GOC concern over FARC attempts to seek refuge in neighboring countries, and commended the GOE for their commitment to deny the FARC a safe heaven in Ecuador. Colombia also acknowledged GOE efforts to counter narco-trafficking and terrorism, and reinforced GOC commitment to fortify bi-national mechanisms to address security and development issues. Colombian FM Barco, prior to releasing the note, reportedly described the diplomatic impasse a &series of misunderstanding8 and stated publicly that the GOC response would hopefully &normalize8 relations with Ecuador. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) This unhelpful war of words has already had costs for USG interests, with the sudden chill in relations causing some USG-funded mil-mil cooperation at the working level to be put on hold. The GOE blames Uribe for putting it in a position, through his earlier public comments, with no face-saving exit, and impute electoral motives on his behalf. While political interests may have factored on both sides, the main beneficiary of this chill in relations has been the FARC and other illegal armed groups. While apparently past this flap, bilateral tensions over border security issues remain high, and could easily flare up again over any future border incidents. We will continue to urge calm, encourage dialogue, and work with the GOE to enhance security on its northern frontier. JEWELL