AMBASSADOR ENCOURAGES GREATER MARITIME COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000818

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014
TAGS: PREL MARR SNAR PTER EC
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR ENCOURAGES GREATER MARITIME COOPERATION


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


1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador met on March 30 with MFA
Sovereignty U/S Diego Stacey and other MFA officials to
discuss the recent rise in the use of Ecuadorian flagged
fishing vessels to smuggle drugs and request additional
bilateral cooperation to counter it. The Ambassador
delivered a detailed presentation highlighting recent
bilateral successes, the impediments to stronger enforcement
in the region, and suggesting several areas for enhanced
cooperation. U/S Stacey thanked the Ambassador, and
expressed GOE concern over the growing narcotics trafficking
problem, and his government's interest in improving maritime
law enforcement cooperation with the US. Stacey insisted,
however, that constitutional restrictions and domestic
politics would continue to preclude the GOE from allowing
U.S. military ships to operate within 12-200 nautical miles
of Ecuadorian territory or of extraditing citizens. End
Summary.


2. (C) The meeting was requested by the Ambassador to
highlight the recent spike in narcotrafficking under Ecuador
flagged fishing vessels, and to explore avenues for greater
cooperation on the issue. She was accompanied by the DCM,
Coast Guard Attache, DEA Director, and PolOff. U/S Stacey
was joined by Director General for Human Rights, Environment
and Social Affairs Minister Augusto Saa, Legal Advisor Dr.
Marcelo Vasquez, and acting Director General for Bilateral
Affairs Ambassador Marco Samaniejo.

Ambassador Outlines Problem
--------------


3. (C) The Ambassador highlighted USG concerns that
narcotraffickers, under the perception of impunity in
Ecuador, have largely shifted from Colombian to Ecuadorian
flagged fishing vessels. She thanked the GOE for its efforts
and highlighted recent interdiction successes. The
Ambassador explained that recent shifts are due to: the
Ecuadorian Navy's inability to patrol the 12-200 nautical
mile claim; Colombia's recent policy requiring all their
fishing vessels to have transponders; the lack of a maritime
law enforcement agreement between the U.S. and GOE; and
Ecuador's constitutional restriction against extradition of
its citizens. Ecuador's lengthy judicial process creates an
impression of impunity, attracting traffickers to Ecuador.
To counter these challenges, the Ambassador suggested the GOE
conclude a maritime agreement with the U.S., recommended that
the MFA sign the pending CNIES agreement, urged the GOE to
explore the possibility of allowing U.S. ships to patrol
within 12-200 nautical miles of the coast, and to consider
ways to send suspected Ecuadorian narcotraffickers to the
U.S. for prosecution.

MFA: Extradition Impossible
--------------


4. (C) U/S Stacey and his team diligently took notes during
the Ambassador's presentation, interrupting to clarify or
engage in dialogue periodically. U/S Stacey reiterated the
GOE policy that constitutional restrictions and current
political realities make it impossible for the GOE to allow
extradition of its citizens. He said that the MFA had been
working to get Congress to adopt the Law of the Sea
Convention, without success. Stacey asked if the U.S. had
ratified the convention. The DCM noted that U.S. law,
regardless of the convention's ratification, respected
international norms.

MFA: Judicial Reform Needed
--------------


5. (C) U/S Stacey said that in his opinion the central
impediment to tougher enforcement is the Ecuadorian judicial
system. He suggested that the U.S. consider contacting the
court directly to expedite handling of the 95 pending
trafficking cases, and offered to coordinate such a meeting.
He also said the U.S. should consider supporting judicial
reforms in Ecuador. The Ambassador replied that the U.S. was
aware of Ecuador's judicial shortcomings, and that the U.S.
was already engaged in judicial reform support through the
OAS.
MFA: Transponders a Possibility
--------------


6. (C) U/S Stacey and his team expressed interest in our
proposal that the GOE require transponders on all Ecuadorian
flagged fishing vessels, but expressed concern over the
challenge of financing this effort. The Ambassador and DEA
Director noted Colombia's success with the policy, which
would also help with search and rescue efforts for migrant
smuggler vessels.

Ecuadorian Consumption on the Rise
--------------


7. (C) U/S Stacey asked about U.S. drug demand reduction
campaigns. The Ambassador said that the issue is very
difficult and costly to combat, but noted that drug
consumption among teenagers for the first time declined in

2005. She also noted that transit countries, such as
Ecuador, typically see a steady rise in domestic drug
consumption. DG for Human Rights, Environment and Social
Affairs Augusto Saa agreed, citing a recent study that showed
an increase in Ecuadorian drug consumption.

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


8. (C) This was our initial high-level attempt to alert key
GOE officials to important changes in narcotrafficking
activity that infringe on Ecuadorian sovereignty. It will
not be our last. We are encouraged by prospects to move
forward on a maritime cooperation agreement and CNIES, and
will continue to push to improve cooperation within the
Ecuadorian territorial sea claim.
JEWELL