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