ECUADORIAN AMBASSADOR TO EL SALVADOR'S COMMENTS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 000905 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR D FISK E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV ES SUBJECT: ECUADORIAN AMBASSADOR TO EL SALVADOR'S COMMENTS ON CORREA GOVERNMENT Classified By: Ambassador Charles L. Glazer for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) After encountering each other at two recent social events, the newly arrived Ecuadorian Ambassador to El Salvador Galo Larenas Serrano asked to meet privately with the Ambassador for a courtesy call. During the visit Dr. Larenas told the Ambassador that had asked for the meeting because he wanted to share his views that President Correa is not who the press is making him out to be, and that instead he is pro business and wants good relations with the U.S. Government. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: We are unsure how close this career diplomat is to President Correa and defer to Embassy Quito for further comment. Nevertheless, Dr. Larenas went out of his way to deliver this private message and it could indicate the GOE's desire to open alternate lanes of communication with the USG. Glazer