Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07QUITO2233
2007-10-01 19:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Quito
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR INAUGURATES REGIONAL ANTI-NARCOTICS

Tags:  MARR MAS MOPS PREL SNAR EC CO 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHQT #2233/01 2741923
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 011923Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY QUITO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7842
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 6939
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 2697
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ OCT 0736
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 1968
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL PRIORITY 2878
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 002233 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: TEN YEARS
TAGS: MARR MAS MOPS PREL SNAR EC CO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR INAUGURATES REGIONAL ANTI-NARCOTICS
CENTER ON BORDER WITH COLOMBIA

Classified By: Ambassador Linda Jewell for Reasons 1.4 (b&d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 002233

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: TEN YEARS
TAGS: MARR MAS MOPS PREL SNAR EC CO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR INAUGURATES REGIONAL ANTI-NARCOTICS
CENTER ON BORDER WITH COLOMBIA

Classified By: Ambassador Linda Jewell for Reasons 1.4 (b&d).


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Ambassador Jewell participated in the
inauguration of an approximately $2 million NAS-funded
regional antinarcotics center in the northern city of Tulcan,
Carchi province, on September 24. The facility will serve as
a command center and checkpoint five miles from the Colombian
border, on the primary roadway from Colombia into Ecuador.
In the inauguration ceremony, the Ambassador was accompanied
by Ecuador's Minister of Government and Police, Gustavo
Larrea, and other dignitaries, who publicly praised the USG
and GOE's commitment to counter narcotics. The presence of
Larrea and others, and the high level of attention the event
received in the press just a few short days before
constitutional assembly elections, demonstrate the GOE's
commitment to counter narcotics and the Ecuadorian public's
concern about rising illicit drug activity, especially in the
Northern border region. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) The Carchi Anti-narcotics Center is an integrated
command and checkpoint facility located in Tulcan, Carchi
province, which reflects the excellent cooperation between
the Embassy and the GOE in counternarcotics. Approximately
five kilometers south of the Colombian border, the Center is
located in a strategic site for checking passenger and cargo
vehicles and serves as a base of operations for special
anti-narcotics police units, including the GEMA (Mobile
Units) and CAC (Canine Units),conducting operations along
the roads and at other locations in the area.


3. (SBU) Even though Ecuador was less than a week from its
constitutional assembly elections, the inauguration ceremony
was attended by Ecuador's Minister of Government and Police,
Gustavo Larrea. Minister Larrea said that Ecuador is a
regional leader in Latin America in counter narcotics and
that the "fight against drugs is a clear commitment of the
government." He praised the GOE's efforts, saying that
Ecuador has been successful in remaining only a transit
country and not a producer country, and expressed
appreciation for the USG's contribution in counternarcotics.
Larrea clarified that the Anti-narcotics Center in Carchi
will be used specifically for counternarcotics purposes and
that the Center is not a military installation like Manta (no
American military presence). In response to media questions,
Larrea did later reiterate the GOE,s position on non-renewal
of the Manta FOL agreement.


4. (SBU) Ambassador Jewell emphasized in her remarks that the
bilateral relationship has produced important results, that
the increase in seizures and arrests has been accompanied by
an increase in trafficking, and that we must continue our
cooperative fight against the illicit drug market.


5. (SBU) The Narcotics Affairs Section at the Embassy funded
the design and construction of the new facility, which
includes a 300 meter access road, dormitories for 100
officers, kennels and exercise facilities for 14 canines,
vehicle inspection areas, offices and investigation areas, a
gym, and eight jail cells. Construction costs totaled $1.9
million and furnishings cost an additional $120k. The
project took 18 months from beginning design to finish.


6. (SBU) In addition to Minister Larrea, the inauguration
ceremony was attended by Ecuadorian National Police
Commanding General Bolivar Cisneros, Director of the Police
National Narcotics Directorship COL Marco Rivadeneira,
Governor of Carchi province Efrain Benavides Tapia, Carchi
Prefect (elected leader) Rene Yandun Poso, and Tulcan Mayor
Pedro Velasco Erazo.


7. (U) Press coverage of the visit was cautiously positive in
the written press, but much more positive on television, and
received considerable national attention. National
television coverage was quite broad; all but one national
network broadcast the story, and networks emphasized the
capabilities of the new facility and demand reduction. All
the networks included Larrea's remarks and most included
Ambassador Jewell's comments on USG investments in the region.


8. (C) COMMENT: The attendance of both national and local
government officials, as well as the comments by Minister
Larrea, demonstrate the GOE's commitment to counter-narcotics
and bilateral cooperation, as well as Ecuadorian concern
about illicit activity along the northern border. Larrea,
previously considered a doctrinaire leftist and someone who

might be hostile to the USG in office, has been surprisingly
pleasant and quickly responsive to a number of USG requests,
much in the way he supported and participated in this
inauguration. END COMMENT.
JEWELL