ECUADOR DEMARCHE RESPONSE: SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 002205 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2016 TAGS: UNSC PTER EC LE SUBJECT: ECUADOR DEMARCHE RESPONSE: SPECIAL TRIBUNAL FOR LEBANON REF: STATE 129919 Classified By: DCM Jefferson Brown for reasons 1.4 (B&D) ¶1. (C) PolOff met with Lourdes Puma Puma, MFA Director General of Multilateral Affairs, on September 25, and shared U.S. objectives on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Puma expressed her understanding of the need to support the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, adding that Ecuador generally supports the International Court of Justice (ICJ),and has paid all of its dues to the ICJ. Puma then questioned the budget established by the SYG, saying that $120,000 for the first three years seemed high, and opined that often "these budgets pay mostly salaries for the UN staff." ¶2. (C) Puma explained that Ecuador's resources are thin, and that the MFA is currently studying its financial support of international organizations in an attempt to determine which organizations to support and which to discontinue supporting. When questioned about the UN, she clarified that under scrutiny were mostly regional organizations, although she would not specify which. Puma concluded that financial support of the Tribunal may be difficult. PolOff noted that even a small contribution would be considered as Ecuador's support of the Lebanese people's quest for justice. Puma said that she would look into the matter and confirm the GOE's position at a later date. Comment: Post is doubtful that a response is forthcoming as DG Puma seemed rather negative about the issue as well as the GOE's ability to provide financial assistance. End Comment. JEWELL