Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07QUITO127
2007-01-17 21:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Quito
Cable title:
CORREA INAUGURAL CHARTS PRIORITIES, SIGNALS STYLE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHQT #0127 0172113 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 172113Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY QUITO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6093 INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 6330 RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 0714 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 2278 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JAN 0327 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 1293 RUEHMU/AMEMBASSY MANAGUA PRIORITY 0469 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO PRIORITY 2215 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 3028 RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL PRIORITY 1701 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
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
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