Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07QUITO1993
2007-08-31 11:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Quito
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHQT #1993 2431129 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 311129Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY QUITO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7649 INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 6860 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 2663 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ AUG 0702 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 1889 RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL PRIORITY 2739 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 001993
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: TEN YEARS
TAGS: PGOV MARR EC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR: DEFENSE MINISTER RESIGNS
Classified By: DCM JEFFERSON T. BROWN FOR REASON 1.4 (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 001993
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: TEN YEARS
TAGS: PGOV MARR EC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR: DEFENSE MINISTER RESIGNS
Classified By: DCM JEFFERSON T. BROWN FOR REASON 1.4 (D)
1. (SBU) Ecuadorian Defense Minister Lorena Escudero
announced her resignation on August 30, saying that she had
decided to accept "another challenge" within the national
government. She indicated that President Correa would soon
announce her new position. Escudero appears to have left on
good terms with the Correa government. Both Foreign Minister
Espinosa and Minister for Coordination of Internal and
External Security Bustamante praised her contributions and
expressed confidence that she would continue to work closely
with the government. Vice Minister Miguel Carvajal remains
in his position, at least for the time being, and will
function as acting minister. There are no serious rumors as
yet about whom Correa will name to replace Escudero, nor any
indication when that decision will be made.
2. (SBU) Rumors of Escudero's impending departure had
intensified August 21 when Pachakutik Congressman Ramsses
Torres alerted journalists that her departure was likely.
Torres leads the Congressional investigation commission that
is expected to announce shortly its findings with respect to
the helicopter crash that killed Escudero's predecessor.
Speculation at that time was that Escudero disagreed with the
weak punishments meted out following the accident. She was
also reportedly unhappy that the reforms she had proposed,
including allowing the Armed Forces to vote, had languished
without support from others in the government. Immediately
before resigning, Escudero made a public presentation of her
agenda for the Armed Forces in an event together with Vice
President Lenin.
3. (C) Comment: Escudero seemed a poor fit for the Defense
Minister post from the beginning. The only surprise was that
the resignation took place now instead of waiting until after
the September 30 Constituent Assembly elections.
JEWELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: TEN YEARS
TAGS: PGOV MARR EC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR: DEFENSE MINISTER RESIGNS
Classified By: DCM JEFFERSON T. BROWN FOR REASON 1.4 (D)
1. (SBU) Ecuadorian Defense Minister Lorena Escudero
announced her resignation on August 30, saying that she had
decided to accept "another challenge" within the national
government. She indicated that President Correa would soon
announce her new position. Escudero appears to have left on
good terms with the Correa government. Both Foreign Minister
Espinosa and Minister for Coordination of Internal and
External Security Bustamante praised her contributions and
expressed confidence that she would continue to work closely
with the government. Vice Minister Miguel Carvajal remains
in his position, at least for the time being, and will
function as acting minister. There are no serious rumors as
yet about whom Correa will name to replace Escudero, nor any
indication when that decision will be made.
2. (SBU) Rumors of Escudero's impending departure had
intensified August 21 when Pachakutik Congressman Ramsses
Torres alerted journalists that her departure was likely.
Torres leads the Congressional investigation commission that
is expected to announce shortly its findings with respect to
the helicopter crash that killed Escudero's predecessor.
Speculation at that time was that Escudero disagreed with the
weak punishments meted out following the accident. She was
also reportedly unhappy that the reforms she had proposed,
including allowing the Armed Forces to vote, had languished
without support from others in the government. Immediately
before resigning, Escudero made a public presentation of her
agenda for the Armed Forces in an event together with Vice
President Lenin.
3. (C) Comment: Escudero seemed a poor fit for the Defense
Minister post from the beginning. The only surprise was that
the resignation took place now instead of waiting until after
the September 30 Constituent Assembly elections.
JEWELL