ECUADOR: DEMONSTRATORS KNOCKING DOWN CONGRESS' DOOR

UNCLAS QUITO 000247

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PINS EC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR: DEMONSTRATORS KNOCKING DOWN CONGRESS' DOOR

REF: QUITO 00200


1. (U) Summary: Over 3,000 protestors supporting President
Correa's proposed referendum for the creation of a national
constituent assembly gathered in front of the National Congress in
Quito on January 30. Hundreds broke through police barriers and
stormed the Congressional building. Unconfirmed reports cited three
injuries; no AmCits were involved or are likely to be targeted in
future clashes. Protest leaders are calling for a continuation of
demonstrations until Congress blesses the referendum. End Summary.


2. (U) Making their voices heard in the most aggressive fashion to
date, more than 3,000 supporters of President Correa's proposed
national constituent assembly gathered outside the National Congress
in Quito on January 30 as the Congress was in session deliberating
over the assembly statutes. The rally was led by members of the
radical leftist Popular Democracy Movement (MPD),campesino
indigenous organization (FENOCIN) and an ad-hoc selection of
pro-assembly social groups, including Correa's PAIS movement
supporters.


3. (U) Hundreds managed to breach the barricades and enter the
Congress chamber, interrupting debate and causing members to flee.
The police responded with tear gas. A journalist was caught in the
fray and sustained minor injuries. Two policemen also received
minor injuries according to unconfirmed reports. No AmCits were
affected by the protest. Similar but smaller pro-assembly
demonstrations took place in Guayaquil and Cuenca.


4. (U) Protestors are expected to regroup this evening at 1800 in
two city parks, and have vowed to continue their protests until
Congress approves the controversial referendum proposal. Members
of Congress have reportedly been seeking to regroup in a Quito hotel
to resume debate on the assembly.


5. (U) Today's demonstration follows last week's break-in at the
Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) (reftel). Demonstrators
successfully interrupted proceedings of that institution before it
referred the issue of the referendum's legality to the Congress.


6. (SBU) Comment: Today's demonstration marks another attempt by
pro-government, pro-assembly supporters to exert pressure on
democratic institutions from the streets, in classic Ecuadorian
tradition. Popular frustration with congress was compounded by an
ill-timed decision (announced on January 29) by Congress'
administrative committee to raise congressional salaries above
Correa's, after Correa took office cutting his own salary in half.
The anti-assembly opposition has accused the government of
orchestrating the protests, citing Correa's January 27 weekly radio
address rallying public support for the referendum. Ironically, a
majority of congress is prepared to approve the statutes authorizing
the assembly, if they can proceed with their session - although the
more radical pro-assembly forces do not recognize congressional
approval as a necessary step in the process.


6. (SBU) We will issue a warden message warning AmCits to exercise
caution and avoid the protests.


JEWELL