ECUADOR: ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT QUITS WITH NO WARNING

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000567

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV EC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR: ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT QUITS WITH NO WARNING

Classified By: Ambassador Linda Jewell for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (SBU) Summary: In a surprise move, Constituent Assembly
President Alberto Acosta (Proud and Sovereign Fatherland
Movement or PAIS) resigned from that position June 23.
Citing his frustration with a process that he feels has
become too rushed, Acosta vowed to remain focused on helping
the Assembly to finish its task. The move reveals tension
within the PAIS camp and is an embarrassment to President
Correa. Though he is remaining a member of the Assembly, his
future role is still not clear, nor the extent to which his
resignation might undermine political unity on the Left side
of the spectrum. End summary.

MY ("DEMOCRATIC") WAY OR THE HIGHWAY
--------------


2. (SBU) Constituent Assembly President Alberto Acosta
surprised the Ecuadorian political elite and public by
resigning on June 23. Following a bizarre day of twists and
turns and postponements of his statement, Acosta spoke to
reporters late in the afternoon. Flanked by members of other
political parties, including the leading indigenous party
Pachakutik, Ethics and Democracy Network (RED) and the
Democratic Left (ID) but with no members of his own political
movement present, Acosta noted that "the path to the
constitution is as important as the final product." Noting
his displeasure with the majority of PAIS members' desire to
finish the constitution by the deadline on time, rather than
give each aspect of the document what he considers proper
debate, Acosta lamented that "the quality of the text should
not be compromised due to time constraints." Acosta went on
to suggest that if debate were to be limited or suspended on
constitutional language yet to be approved the Assembly was
"compromising the legitimacy" of the work it had already
done.


3. (C) Gustavo Tamariz of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal
told poloff on June 23 that Acosta's decision was a direct
result of President Correa's refusal to seek an extension of
the Assembly's deadline, and particular displeasure with
Correa's use of the term "too democratic" when describing the
often verbose and lengthy debates over minor constitutional
points. Minister of Defense Javier Ponce, a member of the
PAIS political bureau, told the DCM June 24 that Acosta had
asked for two to four additional months to complete the
constitution, a length of time the PAIS leadership felt was
politically impossible.


4. (SBU) Acosta expressed his desire to remain a voice for
democratic change, and vowed not to "provoke a power
struggle" within PAIS or within Ecuador's larger political
context. He went on the state his hope that his decision
would not hurt "Ecuador, President Correa, the government or
the constitution."

WHAT NEXT?
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5. (SBU) Acosta said that he would continue to remain an
active voice within the Assembly. He suggested that all of
the party bloc leaders within the Assembly meet to iron out a
realistic and thoughtful schedule for the remainder of the
Assembly's work. Correa and the PAIS political leadership
have made the decision that Assembly Deputy President
Fernando Cordero, who appeared caught of guard when word of
the resignation first leaked, will take the President's
chair, for the remainder of the Assembly, although permanent
succession rules have never been clearly defined. Opposition
members have criticized Cordero for strong-arm tactics and
limiting debate on several constitutional articles, in
contrast to Acosta's more inclusive style of leadership.

A DELIGHTED OPPOSITION AND AN EMBOLDENED CENTER-LEFT
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6. (C) Members of the opposition within the Assembly were
quick to praise Acosta for his political bravery and used the
incident to try to undermine the credibility of the Assembly
process. Reinvigoration of National Institutions Party
(PRIAN) Assembly member Vicente Taiano praised Acosta as a
gentleman, noting his willingness to "look for consensus" as
opposed to other PAIS members. Social Christian Party (PSC)
member Leonardo Viteri joined the pro-Acosta chorus during a
June 24 television interview, lamenting that his "reasonable"
style would disappear if Cordero assumes the Assembly
President. Viteri gave specific examples of Cordero cutting
speakers off and limiting debate. Members of the Guayaquil
business community looked to Acosta's decision as the first
sign of a major rift within PAIS. President of the Guayaquil
Chamber of Commerce Teodoro Maldonado told Guayaquil poloff
June 23 that this would help the opposition in its effort to
"succeed with the no vote" in the expected referendum on the
constitution once it is completed.


7. (SBU) Center-left members of the Constituent Assembly
also expressed their admiration for Acosta's decision. RED
member Leon Roldos summed up his party's views well in an
interview on June 23, noting that his decision demonstrated
that "the credibility of the Assembly's work is at stake."
Roldos applauded Acosta for standing up "against the regime"
in order to save the constitution.

COMMENT: "ALL FOR THE FATHERLAND AND NOTHING FOR OURSELVES"
-------------- --------------


8. (C) In a bold and adroit political move, Acosta has cast
himself as a "knight on horseback" who is more interested in
the common good than his personal future. Having been
marginalized by Correa for some time, Acosta has invigorated
his political standing. By specifically quoting national
hero Eloy Alfaro in his remarks, "...all for the fatherland
and nothing for ourselves", he has suggested that his views
best serve the people. Tensions between Acosta and Correa,
which have been evident for some time have clearly taken a
serious turn for the worse. Acosta admitted during
questioning following his statement that he had not spoken
with Correa "for several days."


9. (C) Though Acosta vowed not to embark on a power
struggle, it remains to be seen whether such a struggle will
ferment. It is too early to tell if Acosta will becoming a
rallying point around which Correa's left flank will revolt,
but Correa and the chance of an easy referendum victory for
his constitutional project are no doubt weakened by this turn
of events.

Jewell