Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08QUITO880
2008-09-11 20:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Quito
Cable title:  

ECUADOR DEMARCHE RESPONSE ON RUSSIA-GEORGIA

Tags:  PGOV PREL MARR KPKO GG RU EC 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHQT #0880 2552025
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 112025Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY QUITO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9383
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 7741
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 3986
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 3180
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ SEP LIMA 2801
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL 3800
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0157
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0408
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000880 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2028
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KPKO GG RU EC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR DEMARCHE RESPONSE ON RUSSIA-GEORGIA
CONFLICT

REF: A. STATE 89769

B. STATE 90978

C. STATE 90980

D. STATE 91894

Classified By: DCM Andrew Chritton for Reasons 1.4 (b&d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000880

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2028
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KPKO GG RU EC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR DEMARCHE RESPONSE ON RUSSIA-GEORGIA
CONFLICT

REF: A. STATE 89769

B. STATE 90978

C. STATE 90980

D. STATE 91894

Classified By: DCM Andrew Chritton for Reasons 1.4 (b&d)


1. (C) PolOff delivered points from reftels to MFA
Multilateral Affairs Director General Lourdes Puma on
September 5. Puma reiterated her regular mantra that the GOE
was particularly sensitive to issues of sovereignty. She
noted that the GOE would not make a public commitment for or
against Russia or Georgia, nor about the recognition by
Russia of independence of South Ossetia or Abkhazia. When
pressed, Puma confirmed that the GOE did support UNSCR 1808,
affirming Georgia's sovereignty.


2. (C) Puma said that the GOE wanted to promote a peaceful
resolution to the conflict, the only viable solution. She
added that this would require the withdrawal of all troops
from the zone of conflict, but expressed her personal doubts
whether Russia would withdraw its troops anytime soon. When
questioned, Puma confirmed that the GOE supported the terms
of the August 12 ceasefire agreement mediated by French
President Sarkozy, but clarified that Russian troops should
exit the so-called "buffer zone" only if it had guarantees
that Georgia would not attack and would withdraw its security
forces as well. She further confirmed the GOE's support for
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
monitoring and the decision by the OSCE Permanent Council to
increase the number of international monitors in Georgia.


3. (C) When asked whether the GOE has had or would have
conversations with the Russians on the issue, Puma stated
only that Russia was angry over Kosovo's independence and
over Georgia and the Ukraine's intention to join NATO, and
that Russia "feels threatened" by the increase of NATO's size
and influence.


4. (C) Puma personally lamented Georgia's decision to
escalate the conflict in South Ossetia, calling it
"irresponsible." She explained that, while it did not
justify Russia's disproportionate invasion of Georgia, Russia
had historically always responded in such a manner and had
also never backed down from aggression. She added that the
confidence gained over the last 15 plus years between Russia
and Western Europe had been lost over this small zone of
conflict.
Hodges