HELICOPTER COLLISION KILLS MINDEF AND DAUGHTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000211 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014 TAGS: PREL MARR MASS MOPS SNAR PTER EC CO SUBJECT: HELICOPTER COLLISION KILLS MINDEF AND DAUGHTER Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman, Reasons 1.4 (b&d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Ecuadorian Minister of Defense Guadalupe Larriva, her 17-year-old daughter Claudia Avila Larriva, and five Ecuadorian Army officials were killed in a collision of two helicopters at 8:19 pm on January 24 in Manta, Manabi province. While details on the exact cause of the collision remain murky, pilot error is likely to blame. President Correa lamented the tragic accident and called for the formation of a full investigatory commission to include international participants. Larriva's Socialist Party is demanding full inclusion in the investigation process, calling the accident "suspicious." CDA Jefferson Brown attended Larriva's January 25 state funeral in Quito, expressing U.S. sorrow over the tragic accident to GOE officials. End Summary. Two Army Helicopters Collide -------------- ¶2. (SBU) According to a Ministry of Defense press release, Larriva traveled to Puerto Viejo and Manta in Manabi province on January 24 to visit military units. During her visit, Larriva observed an Ecuadorian Army Air Combat Unit live fire demonstration. Following the event, Larriva and her daughter boarded the French made Gazelle helicopters to return to the Manta airport. There are unconfirmed reports that the pilots were taking advantage of the short flight to demonstrate to the Minister the capabilities of recently acquired Israeli night vision goggles. At approximately 8:19 pm the two helicopters collided mid-air, killing Larriva, her daughter, and five Ecuadorian Army officials. The accident occurred nearby but outside the perimeter of the Eloy Alfaro Airbase, the site of the U.S. Forward Operation Location (FOL). Eyewitnesses interviewed by the media, seconded by a Manta FOL employee, report seeing the main rotor of one of the helicopters hit the tail rotor of the other as the two approached the Manta airport. The Ministry of Defense communique announced the formation of a commission to investigate the cause of the accident. Embassy military sources reported that the commission will be headed by the Ecuadorian Air Force. ¶3. (C) The Manta Forward Operating Location Fire Department was the first to respond to the crash, providing much needed technical assistance and logistical support to the Ecuadorian military and local first-responders. CDA Brown phoned Ecuadorian Vice President Lenin Moreno on January 24 to offer USG condolences and technical support; the offer was repeated via the U.S. Milgroup to Air Force Service Chief General Gabela. President Correa Invokes Che -------------- ¶4. (SBU) A visibly shaken President Correa rushed from Guayaquil to Manta late on January 24 and in remarks to the press lamented the tragic passing of MinDef Guadalupe Larriva, her daughter, and the Ecuadorian Army officials. Correa said that the accident site had been secured and that the GOE would seek international assistance with the investigation to ensure impartiality. He told reporters that "we should continue moving forward, and that Guadalupe (Larriva) would not forgive us if we retreat out of fear." At the January 25 state funeral in Quito, Correa was clearly attuned to the large presence of Socialist Party activists in the crowd as he invoked Che Guevara and renewed his oath and determination to make sweeping reforms, declaring "always towards victory." Preliminary indications are that the GOE has invited France, Chile and Brazil to form the international component of the official commission. Socialist Party Demands Answers -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Socialist Party President Gustavo Ayala on January 24 called for an exhaustive investigation to determine the "real" facts of the collision. Ayala advocated for his party's full inclusion in the investigation, and said that "Ecuador had lost a great woman with great political value." Other Socialist Party leaders suspect foul play, with some even suggesting that Larriva's "tough-stance" on the Manta FOL and foreign troops in Ecuador led to her death. The Charge personally expressed the USG's condolences to Socialist Party leader Rafael Quintero (who had been rumored to become vice-minister),who graciously accepted the sentiments. ForMin Espinosa's office also called the Embassy to convey her appreciation for the solidarity shown by the U.S. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) The fatal helicopter collision was likely caused by pilot error, as fuel shortages and funding constraints often hinder more extensive flight training. Embassy sources also reported that the helicopter pilots were using night vision goggles provided by the Israeli government, who had warned against use before proper adjustments. The accident's proximity to Manta FOL and the MinDef's recent press statements that the FOL agreement would not be renewed past 2009 have invited inevitable speculation of U.S. involvement in the accident from the extreme left, but the more widespread conspiracy theories focus on the Ecuadorian military itself and perceptions that there was resistance to this first-ever civilian, female and leftist minister. Correa has given no indications of when he will name a replacement defense minister. Correa had been firm in his commitment to name a female civilian to the post, which may mean turning to earlier rumored candidate Bertha Garcia. BROWN =======================CABLE ENDS============================