AMBASSADOR AND NEW MINDEF DISCUSS COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000537

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014
TAGS: PREL MARR MASS MOPS SNAR PTER EC
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND NEW MINDEF DISCUSS COOPERATION


Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman, Reasons 1.4 (b&d)


1. (C) Summary: In her initial call on newly appointed
Minister of Defense Lorena Escudero on March 1, the
Ambassador highlighted successful U.S. military led
humanitarian and security projects, and stressed the
importance of continued cooperation. She conveyed USG
concern over reports that Escudero would participate in the
"No-Bases" conference in Quito and/or Manta, and explained
the importance of the FOL in the regional anti-narcotics
fight. Escudero expressed GOE gratitude for USG support, and
stressed the need to increase the role of the Ecuadorian
military in northern border development activities. She was
unaware of the specifics of the No-Bases event and did not
have plans to attend, but reaffirmed the GOE position not to
renew the agreement. End Summary.

Background
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2. (SBU) The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Defense
Minister Lorena Escudero on March 1 in her office. She was
accompanied by the MILGP Commander and the Acting Defense
Attache. Escudero was joined by Chief of Staff Colonel Ruben
Leon and International Affairs Advisor Colonel Roberto
Vasconez. The introductory meeting was cordial, with both
the Ambassador and Escudero agreeing to continue mutually
beneficial cooperation.

Ambassador Highlights USG Support
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3. (C) The Ambassador stressed the need to continue USG-GOE
collaboration to counter the growing narco-terrorist threat,
and noted that joint efforts had enhanced the security and
the quality of life of Ecuadorians living in the
Ecuador-Colombia border region. Escudero thanked the
Ambassador for this "positive" cooperation, and said that she
would work to increase the Ecuadorian military's social
agenda in the border region. She told the Ambassador that
the Ministry of Defense (MOD) would soon sign a cooperative
agreement with the Ecuadorian Northern Border Unit (UDENOR)
to increase its role in supporting infrastructure projects in
the region (SEPTEL). Getting the military engaged in
development will inspire a wider array of Ecuadorians to also
get involved, Escudero affirmed.

Ambassador Stresses Importance of FOL
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4. (C) The Ambassador emphasized the importance of the Manta
Forward Operation Location (FOL) in the regional
anti-narcotics fight, but said that the USG would respect the
GOE's eventual decision on whether or not to renew. She
stressed the importance of achieving continued positive
results through 2009, and the need for the Embassy and the
MOD to maintain fluid communication on FOL operations. She
invited Escudero to visit the FOL for a full briefing.
Escudero reaffirmed the GOE's position not to renew the
agreement, and said that she would visit the Eloy Alfaro
Airbase (where the FOL is located) soon.


5. (C) Escudero reluctantly told the Ambassador that
Ecuadorian Air Force officials had complained to her about
what they considered to be inadequate compensation to Ecuador
for use of the Eloy Alfaro Airbase. She noted, however, that
she needed to study their requests further and would engage
on the issue at a later date.


6. (C) While Escudero appeared to downplay Ecuadorian Air
Force complaints for the moment, Ecuadorian Air Force Chief
General Jorge Gabela strongly expressed his discontent to
visiting U.S. 12th Air Force Commander Lt. General Norman
Seip in a separate February 28 meeting. Gabela told General
Seip that the U.S. does not recognize Ecuador's efforts to
combat narco-trafficking. Gabela said that the Eloy Alfaro
Airbase has cost Ecuador $1.5 million to date with "zero"
support from the US. "We are fighting the drug war, but you
don't support us," Gabela declared.

Ambassador & MinDef Discuss Cooperation
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7. (C) Escudero thanked the Ambassador for USG assistance in
developing the information operations center at the Ministry
of Defense, and for the equipment to support their
information outreach campaign. She said she was impressed by
the center, noting its positive role in working to enhance
the image of the Ecuadorian military in the border region.
The Ambassador expressed USG desire to deepen such
cooperation and suggested that the Escudero consider IMET
training courses available to both military and civilian
security experts. The Ambassador stressed the importance of
Escudero's appointment as the civilian head of the Ecuadorian
military and invited her to visit Washington. Escudero said
she would like to visit Washington very soon.

Escudero Cold on "No-Bases" Conference
--------------


8. (C) The Ambassador asked Escudero if she had been invited
to speak at the "No-Bases" conference in Quito and Manta
March 5-9. Escudero said that she had received an
invitation, but was unaware of the group and their intentions
and had asked for a report on their background. The
Ambassador expressed USG concern over the no-bases movement,
and explained that the far-left organization purports myths
as fact and may not have Ecuador's best interest at heart.
(Note: To date, Escudero has not participated in the
"No-Bases" conference. Instead, she delegated her
Undersecretary of Defense Miguel Carvajal to represent her at
the March 6 inaugural session. He reaffirmed the GOE
position not to renew the FOL agreement after 2009, calling
it a matter of national sovereignty. End note.)

Comment
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9. (C) Escudero appeared more confident in-person then she
has in public events or interviews, and seemed sincerely open
to deepening GOE-USG cooperation. She has taken on Larriva's
charge to increase military social outreach, and appears
aware of current efforts. However, it remains to be seen how
much control she will actually exercise over Ecuador's
national security agenda. We have made numerous attempts to
respond to Gabela,s complaints as well as others within the
Ecuadorian Air Force, and will continue to do so, although
expectations management is also called for.
JEWELL