ECUADOR CONSIDERING GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT

UNCLAS QUITO 000851 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/AND, ISN.WMDT AND T:TIM KATSAPIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER KNNP MCAP PINR PINS PARM PREL EC SUBJECT: ECUADOR CONSIDERING GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT NUCLEAR TERRORISM REF: STATE 21284 ¶1. (SBU) Russian First Secretary Viatcheslav Ulasik and PolChief jointly presented RefTel demarche in favor of GOE participation in the Global Initiative (GI) to MFA DirGen for Multilateral Affairs Lourdes Puma Puma on April 13. Puma said the GOE was considering joining the initiative based on a previous demarche from Russia and inquired about the date and level of representation at the upcoming Astana meeting. Ulasik said his instructions indicated the Astana meeting would take place in June. PolChief urged the GOE to subscribe to the principles document and attend the Astana meeting, noting the importance of Ecuadorian participation and potential benefits to Ecuador. ¶2. (SBU) Puma said the GOE participates in various other fora to safeguard and prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and ensure its civilian nuclear agency complies with international standards. Ecuador does not have a civilian nuclear power program but uses nuclear material mainly for medical applications. The GOE participates in regional efforts in compliance with UN resolution 1540 and is in the final stages of reforming legislation to bring its laws into compliance with international conventions to safeguard nuclear material. Puma concluded by promising to report the joint demarche to FM Espinosa and inform us of any decisions taken. ¶3. (SBU) Puma also raised unrelated GOE "security" concerns. She cited a NAM consensus against UNSC treatment of climate change and energy issues, arguing these issues are handled in other, more appropriate fora, permitting broader participation in discussions. Puma said the GOE believes that UNSC time freed up by dropping climate change and energy discussions should be devoted to discussing global development and poverty issues. The GOE requests that UNSC member nations show greater flexibility on these issues. We promised to convey these views to our respective capitals. ¶4. (SBU) Comment and Action Request: We will continue to press but interpret Puma's response to this demarche as polite but non-committal. Additional information on the date and level of representation for the GI meeting in Kazakstan would be appreciated. Renewed MFA interest in global environment and energy issues probably reflects emerging views of the Correa administration, particularly FM Espinosa, a noted environmentalist. JEWELL