MOD UPBEAT ON EVE OF COLOMBIA TALKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 000085 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014 TAGS: MOPS PREL MARR SNAR PTER EC CO SUBJECT: MOD UPBEAT ON EVE OF COLOMBIA TALKS REF: QUITO 02822 Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman, Reasons 1.4 (b&d) ¶1. (C) Summary: In a January 10 meeting the Ambassador conveyed to Defense Minister Oswaldo Jarrin USG support for greater high-level GOE-GOC security cooperation, and expressed USG concern over the GOE,S anti-glyphosate rhetoric. Jarrin said the fumigation issue was not on his agenda for upcoming January talks with his Colombian counterpart, which would instead focus on developing a broader, more integrated border security policy. He was upbeat about the prospects for increased mil-mil communication along the frontier region. End Summary. MOD Encouraged by Dialogue -------------- ¶2. (C) The Ambassador and DCM on January 10 met with Minister of Defense Oswaldo Jarrin to discuss his upcoming bilateral security meeting with Colombian Minister of Defense Camilo Ospina Bernal. Jarrin told the Ambassador that the January 13 meeting in Bogota would be the first of its kind, aimed at defining a strategic bi-national security framework. Previous Ministerial meetings were solely operational in nature. The meeting builds on the December 7 meeting between Foreign Ministers Carrion and Barco and seeks to further develop the security cooperation outlined in that meeting's joint statement. He is confident that this renewed dialogue will produce common security strategies to guide bilateral engagement at the operational level, and is intended to improve communication on security issues, which he characterized as &event-driven and often negative8 to date. The Ambassador encouraged Jarrin to seek common ground with his Colombian counterpart and praised GOE-GOC determination to enhance the security dialogue. Ambassador Pushes on Glyphosate -------------- ¶3. (C) The Ambassador expressed USG concern over the GOE,s assertion that glyphosate is unsafe and its calls for suspension of aerial spraying within 10 kilometers of the Ecuadorian border. The OAS study had laid the issue to rest, she told Jarrin. Jarrin replied that he would not raise the fumigation issue in his meeting with Ospina, adding that the MFA retains responsibility over fumigations. Rather than focus on the idea of a 10k no-spray zone along the border, Jarrin said he would like to see energies directed toward creating a 10k border special development zone with international support, building on the successful current model of USAID programs along Ecuador's Northern Border. Jarrin said that the meeting will primarily focus on security cooperation under the terms of the December 7 joint declaration signed by the foreign ministers in Quito. He said that he had consulted with FM Carrion in shaping his points, but had drafted the strategic security framework himself. Jarrin,s Outlines Security Framework -------------- ¶4. (C) Jarrin said he plans to raise the following four GOE proposals in his meeting with Ospina: --Restructure the Bi-national Security Commission: Jarrin considers the Bi-national Security Commission key to strengthening conflict resolution and prevention at the operational level. He plans to recommend that in addition to bi-annual meetings, that meetings be automatically triggered by any significant border incident or incursion. The commission would review the incident and offer non-binding recommendations to the two governments. At the moment, Jarrin noted, the governments have no operational mechanism for dealing with border incidents, so they inappropriately move directly to senior-level attention, almost guaranteeing increased political tensions. --No Incursion Policy: Jarrin will seek greater clarity with respect to operations and rules of engagement along the border. He will emphasize the need for Colombian security forces to respect Ecuador,s sovereignty and avoid violations of territorial integrity, including steps to prevent "hot pursuit" incursions. In return, the GOE will adopt a zero tolerance policy for Colombian (or any other) illegal armed groups in Ecuadorian territory. --Fortify Migration Controls: Jarrin will commend the GOC for steps taken to strengthen migration controls, and stress the need for more official border crossing points. Accompanying that step would be greater commitment to curtailing illegal crossings at non-authorized points. --Replicate 28th Brigade Model: Jarrin considers Colombia,s 28th brigade, which operates along the Colombian-Venezuelan border, an effective model for enhanced border security and will encourage the GOC to adopt the same model for their southern border with Ecuador. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) Jarrin was upbeat about the upcoming meeting and eager to engage with his Colombian counterpart on the security side. We are encouraged to hear he will avoid the problematic issue of fumigations. We are hopeful that the meeting will increase mil-mil communication and cooperation, supporting Plan Colombia objectives. JEWELL