CORREA INAUGURAL CHARTS PRIORITIES, SIGNALS STYLE

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000127 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: TEN YEARS TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EFIN EC SUBJECT: CORREA INAUGURAL CHARTS PRIORITIES, SIGNALS STYLE Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman for reasons 1.4 (b&d) ¶15. (C) The attack on Gutierrez is also revealing, showing again that Correa's actions are apt to be as much about personal emotion as political calculation. In addition to reflecting his antipathy to his predecessor once removed, and a desire to rebut whispers that a back-room deal had been made, his ego probably chafed at the protagonism that Gutierrez had won with his action in the run-up to the inauguration. (He may well have been egged on by the presence of Chavez, no fan of Gutierrez.) During his inaugural speech, Correa compounded the insult, publicly praising Gutierrez' estranged wife, Ximena Bohorquez, who had been summarily expelled from Congress for disaffiliating from the PSP after disagreeing with Gutierrez' initial position against the assembly. While PSP support for the assembly apparently remains firm, Correa's attack seems gratuitous and ego-driven, and will likely strain any future interactions between the two men. ¶16. (C) That same impulsiveness, tinged with fury, was on show at the Middle of the World. Correa's reaction there, chastising his most ardent followers for perceived disloyalty when they marred a scripted rally, betrayed a "with me or against me" mentality which could eventually cost Correa support from his base. That said, Correa has effectively set the political agenda here for the short run, framing the debate over the referendum and possible election of an assembly. JEWELL