ADMIRAL STAVRIDIS' FIRST VISIT TO QUITO AS

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000553

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014
TAGS: PREL OVIP MASS MARR EC
SUBJECT: ADMIRAL STAVRIDIS' FIRST VISIT TO QUITO AS
SOUTHCOM COMMANDER

REF: QUITO 488

Classified By: DCM Jefferson Brown for Reasons 1.4 (b&d)


1. (C) Summary: Admiral Stavridis made his first visit as
SouthCom Commander to Quito June 9-12. Along with the
Ambassador, Military Group Commander and Acting DATT, he met
with the Ecuadorian Minister of Defense (MOD) Javier Ponce,
the Chief of Defense (CHOD) General Fabian Varela and then
jointly with the commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Atmospherics were cordial and discussions straightforward and
productive. ADM Stavridis invited the MOD, CHOD and service
chiefs to visit SouthCom and JIATF-South, and privately told
the Embassy that he is considering a follow-on visit in
February 2009. The CHOD expressed appreciation for USG
assistance in training and infrastructure, expressed desire
to continue positive mil-mil relations, and specifically
asked for assistance in the construction of a Joint
Operations Training Center. The service chiefs also provided
their requests for assistance. The visit received positive
press focusing on constructive cooperation during a time when
the GOE has vocally questioned the future of that
cooperation. End Summary


2. (C) On June 11, ADM Stavridis had his first meeting with
Defense Minister Javier PONCE Cevallo, during which
atmospherics were friendly, and discussion focused on themes
rather than specific policies. The two discussed Minister
Ponce's background as a journalist. ADM Stavridis noted that
this is the first time that a U.S. admiral is serving as
SouthCom commander, giving the region additional focus on sea
missions. The two discussed their shared interest in Latin
American literature, which very effectively served as an
"ice-breaker" to the meeting and established a friendly
rapport. They then focused on the importance of civilian
control of the military, and the need for dialogue about
military exercises and training now that the diplomatic note
on military exercises and training has been signed. The
Admiral also extended an open invitation for the MOD to visit
SouthCom and JIATF-South. Under Secretary General of
National Defense Jorge Pena has since told the Military Group
Commander that he would help coordinate a visit but would
require a written invitation, and that thereafter the dates
and logistics could be worked out.


3. (C) In a separate meeting, the Chief of Defense (CHOD)
Division General (3-star equivalent) Fabian VARELA Moncayo
expressed appreciation for USG assistance in training,
equipment and infrastructure, and expressed the desire to
continue positive military to military relations. Varela
hinted that the Ecuadorian military is working to better
understand Ecuador's current social situation so that the GOE
can develop the type of military expected or hoped for by the
Ecuadorian people. Varela explained that the Ecuadorian
military is looking to develop joint task forces focused on
Ecuador's coast, mountainous and Amazon jungle regions.
Varela also asked for assistance in the construction of a
Joint Operations Training Center for the above mentioned task
forces. Both discussed Ecuador's need for helicopters and
riverine boats. During the meeting, the CHOD invited the
Ambassador to a goodbye lunch at the Joint Command, which has
since been expanded to include the MOD.


4. (C) ADM Stavridis also met with the service chiefs of the
Army, Navy and Air Force, all of whom expressed the desire
for continued cooperation as well as specific requests for
assistance. Brigadier General Julio Cesar MANCHENO Gonzalez,
the Army's Commander of Ground Operations (who represented
Army Commander General Luis Ernesto GONZALEZ Villareal),said
that the Ecuadorian Army wanted to continue good relations
with the U.S. military. He added that the Army greatly
values the Military Group's assistance in Ecuador's northern
border, and provided a list of requests for equipment and

assistance (focused mostly on its capacity in the northern
border region). Navy Commander Rear Admiral Livio ESPINOSA
Espinosa asked for SouthCom's assistance to coordinate the
technical transfer of Vulcan Phalanx anti-aircraft weapon
systems (Phalanx) as part of the Ecuadorian Navy's purchase
of two ex-British Leander class frigates from Chile. He also
explained that the Ecuadorian Marines needed rifles and
weapons for its new detachments along the northern border.
Air Force Commander Brigadier General Rodrigo BOHORQUEZ
Flores said that relations between the Ecuadorian Air Force
(FAE) and the US Air Force were good, but also voiced concern
that the "FAE did not receive any information from the
Forward Operating Location (FOL)" at Manta. Bohorquez also
pointed out that the FAE had not received radios (that the
other Services received). On a positive note, he noted that
the USG is helping the Ecuadorian military and highlighted
assistance already being coordinated from the U.S. to include
a reconnaissance aircraft with surveillance cameras, ten
UH-1H helicopters, a C-130 Periodic Depot Maintenance
assessment, C-130 JPATs and TPS-70 radar support. While
promising to look into the above requests, ADM Stavridis also
emphasized that SouthCom was ready to engage with the
Ecuadorians to whatever level they felt most comfortable.
The tone of the meeting was very cordial and friendly.


5. (C) Bohorquez also briefly raised the issue of the "12
versus (Ecuador's claim to) 200 nautical mile (NM)"
difference of territorial waters and air space, expressing an
interest in coming to a mutually-agreeable solution. ADM
Stavridis suggested that SouthCom might be able to see how
"communications" could be used to help alleviate the 12
versus 200 NM issue. (Note: Immediately following the
Admiral's visit, the MFA asked the Ambassador to meet with
the MOD, Foreign Minister and Navy Commander to discuss a way
forward for USG vessels entering Ecuador's claim to
territorial waters, scheduled now for June 23.)


6. (C) General Varela, who also attended the meeting with
the service chiefs, asked ADM Stavridis to explain the
purpose and mission of SouthCom's Fourth Fleet. ADM
Stavridis pointed out that the Fourth Fleet would slightly
increase the number of U.S. Navy South's personnel but that
no aircraft carriers or other U.S. naval vessels would be
permanently stationed in SouthCom's area of focus. He added
that the Fleet's focus would not be offensive, rather on
peacekeeping, counter drug operations, disaster relief and
humanitarian assistance. ADM Stavridis invited the CHOD and
service chiefs to visit the Fourth Fleet, as well as SouthCom
and JIATF-South, and urged them to encourage Ecuador's
political leadership to also visit these venues.


7. (SBU) Press coverage of the visit was straightforward in
all media, noting tensions in military relations in recent
months but casting this visit in neutral-to-positive terms.
Minister Ponce described the visit as "protocolary" in
nature, and the press picked up on the language of the
Embassy,s press release describing the Admiral's focus
"dialogue on friendship and cooperation between the
militaries of both countries, as well as topics of security
of mutual interest." One leading Quito daily featured a very
positive blurb in a weekly political wrap-up column about the
two leaders, surprising discussion of literature. The visit
by Mrs. Laura Stavridis to the orphanage "Hogar Para Sus
Ninos" highlighted a donation by the SouthCom of $10,000 for
the construction of a roof of one of its shelters, as well as
another $7,200 to "Extreme Response International" for
improvements to a day shelter for workers of a garbage
disposal site in search of recyclable waste.


8. (C) Comment: The positive nature and timing of Admiral
Stavridis' visit is important in maintaining good military to
military relations, and comes at a time when civilian
leadership of the military and pending investigations of

cooperation, especially in intelligence, has publicly put the
relationship with the USG and U.S. military into some
question. It will be important to follow up with the GOE and
Ecuadorian military in order to enhance the good will created
by this visit.


9. (U) This cable has been cleared by SouthCom Commander
Admiral Stavridis.
Jewell