Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08QUITO353
2008-04-18 19:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Quito
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR HAS POSITIVE MEETING WITH NEW DEFENSE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHQT #0353 1091900 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 181900Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY QUITO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8738 INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 7512 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 3887 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2990 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ APR LIMA 2558 RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL 3500 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000353
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MASS KTIA OVIP EC
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HAS POSITIVE MEETING WITH NEW DEFENSE
MINISTER
REF: A. QUITO 331
B. 07 QUITO 2064
Classified By: Ambassador Linda Jewell for Reasons 1.4 (b&d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000353
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MASS KTIA OVIP EC
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HAS POSITIVE MEETING WITH NEW DEFENSE
MINISTER
REF: A. QUITO 331
B. 07 QUITO 2064
Classified By: Ambassador Linda Jewell for Reasons 1.4 (b&d)
1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador met with new Minister of
Defense (MOD) Javier Ponce on April 18, their first meeting
in his new role as MOD. Atmospherics were positive. Ponce
said he favored completing a diplomatic note exchange to
provide protections for temporary duty U.S. military
personnel. He expressed support for continued USG-GOE
military cooperation, especially in the Northern Border area,
and requested to reschedule SOUTHCOM Commander Admiral
Stavridis' visit to Ecuador. (End Summary)
2. (C) The Ambassador met with new Minister of Defense
Javier Ponce on April 18, accompanied by the DATT and
Military Group Commander. Vice Minister Miguel Carvajal and
Under Secretary of National Defense Jorge Pena were also
present during the meeting. Ponce was cordial and relaxed,
and appeared to want to maintain an open and constructive
dialogue in the future.
3. (C) The MOD expressed the desire to continue existing
cooperation, without stopping anything in progress. He said
that he was pursuing an assessment of the military's overall
cooperation with international partners. Regarding the
creation of a commission to investigate USG influence over
Ecuador's military, the Ambassador said that the Embassy
would be happy to cooperate with the members in any way and
the MOD replied that when it was established, he would ask
them to speak with the Embassy. He did not, however, raise
any specific concerns with our training or suggest in the
meeting that the USG had undue influence.
4. (SBU) When the Ambassador brought up the diplomatic note
on protections and immunities for temporary U.S. military
personnel (Ref B),the MOD responded that he wanted to get it
approved as soon as possible, and promised to call the
Presidential Legal Adviser's office to move the approval
along. He added that he wanted the Medical Readiness
Training Exercises (MEDRETEs) to continue. (Note: They are
suspended until protections are in place.)
5. (SBU) The MOD expressed the desire to reschedule the
postponed visit by SOUTHCOM Commander Admiral Stavridis, and
requested General Pena to get this done. Ponce also stressed
the importance of continuing assistance to the Northern
Border, including both security and development cooperation.
Jewell
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MASS KTIA OVIP EC
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HAS POSITIVE MEETING WITH NEW DEFENSE
MINISTER
REF: A. QUITO 331
B. 07 QUITO 2064
Classified By: Ambassador Linda Jewell for Reasons 1.4 (b&d)
1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador met with new Minister of
Defense (MOD) Javier Ponce on April 18, their first meeting
in his new role as MOD. Atmospherics were positive. Ponce
said he favored completing a diplomatic note exchange to
provide protections for temporary duty U.S. military
personnel. He expressed support for continued USG-GOE
military cooperation, especially in the Northern Border area,
and requested to reschedule SOUTHCOM Commander Admiral
Stavridis' visit to Ecuador. (End Summary)
2. (C) The Ambassador met with new Minister of Defense
Javier Ponce on April 18, accompanied by the DATT and
Military Group Commander. Vice Minister Miguel Carvajal and
Under Secretary of National Defense Jorge Pena were also
present during the meeting. Ponce was cordial and relaxed,
and appeared to want to maintain an open and constructive
dialogue in the future.
3. (C) The MOD expressed the desire to continue existing
cooperation, without stopping anything in progress. He said
that he was pursuing an assessment of the military's overall
cooperation with international partners. Regarding the
creation of a commission to investigate USG influence over
Ecuador's military, the Ambassador said that the Embassy
would be happy to cooperate with the members in any way and
the MOD replied that when it was established, he would ask
them to speak with the Embassy. He did not, however, raise
any specific concerns with our training or suggest in the
meeting that the USG had undue influence.
4. (SBU) When the Ambassador brought up the diplomatic note
on protections and immunities for temporary U.S. military
personnel (Ref B),the MOD responded that he wanted to get it
approved as soon as possible, and promised to call the
Presidential Legal Adviser's office to move the approval
along. He added that he wanted the Medical Readiness
Training Exercises (MEDRETEs) to continue. (Note: They are
suspended until protections are in place.)
5. (SBU) The MOD expressed the desire to reschedule the
postponed visit by SOUTHCOM Commander Admiral Stavridis, and
requested General Pena to get this done. Ponce also stressed
the importance of continuing assistance to the Northern
Border, including both security and development cooperation.
Jewell