REQUEST CLEARANCE OF SECURITY COOPERATION

UNCLAS QUITO 002064 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MASS PREL EC SUBJECT: REQUEST CLEARANCE OF SECURITY COOPERATION DIPLOMATIC NOTE ¶1. (U) This is an urgent action request. Post requests immediate clearance of the draft diplomatic note on security cooperation activities in Ecuador during FY 2008 (see para. 2). The language of the diplomatic note is identical to the one sent last year except for a new line stating that the MOD and the police have approved the training calendars. Once cleared, post will deliver the diplomatic note to the Foreign Ministry and seek a response by September 30 so that activities planned starting on October 1 can continue on schedule. ¶2. (U) Begin draft text of diplomatic note: The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ecuador and has the honor to propose to the ministry that the Government of the Republic of Ecuador and the Government of the United States of America renew their commitment to military cooperation by approving the attached schedule of training, exercises, and other activities, which covers the period from October 1, 2007, to September 30, 2008. The Embassy proposes that these activities be conducted under the same terms and conditions originally outlined in this Embassy,s Diplomatic Note No. 065/97 of October 8, 1997, and accepted by the government of Ecuador in its Note. No. 167 gm of October 8, 1997. The terms and conditions of the agreement have been reviewed every year since then by the two governments. The Minister of Defense, the Chief of Staff and the National Police Commander have approved the attached training calendar as per the enclosed official communications (Note: E-mailed to WHA/AND and WHA/PPC). Additional exercises, training, seminars, subject-matter-exchanges, engineer infrastructure construction projects, conferences, reunions, and other events may be added or modified throughout the year when approved for execution by the Minister of Defense, the Chief, Joint Forces Command of the Ecuadorian military, or the Military Service Commander who is sponsoring the activity. If the proposed schedule and terms and conditions for these activities are agreeable to the government of Ecuador, the Embassy of the United States has the further honor to propose that this note and the Ministry,s affirmative reply shall constitute an agreement between the two governments, which shall enter into force on the date of the Ministry,s reply with effect from October 1, ¶2007. Furthermore, the Embassy proposes the following verbiage for the Ministry response. The Ministry of Foreign Relations has the further honor to inform the Embassy of the United States of America that the proposals set forth in the Embassy,s Note are acceptable to the Government of Ecuador and to confirm that the Embassy,s note and this Note shall constitute an agreement between the two governments, which shall enter into force on this date with effect from October 1, 2007. The Embassy avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the assurances of its highest and most distinguished consideration. (End Text) JEWELL