AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT CORREA

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000963 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2028 TAGS: PREL SNAR MASS ECIN EC SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT CORREA REF: STATE 88601 Classified By: Ambassador Heather M. Hodges for Reasons 1.4 (b&d) ¶1. (SBU) In a ceremony that went off script and dropped protocol several times, the Ambassador presented credentials to President Correa on October 2. Correa seemed genuinely welcoming as he received her with smiles and a hug followed by repeated apologies for not having received her earlier. Correa, who is known to dislike protocol, barely gave the Ambassador a chance to hand over her credentials before he invited her to sit down and talk. Also present was Foreign Minister Maria Isabel Salvador. Correa never asked the press to leave, as had been expected, although the press pool was placed sufficiently far away that the press was not able to record the conversation. ¶2. (U) The Ambassador noted that she was very happy to be in Ecuador, a beautiful country with lovely people. The Ambassador went on to say that during her time in Ecuador she hoped to be able to share the best aspects of the United States with the Ecuadorian people, such as the U.S. education system, the rule of law, etc. Correa rapidly replied that he had spent four years in the U.S. and greatly admired the country. He wished he could bring American universities to Ecuador and would appreciate assistance with administration of justice. ¶3. (U) The Ambassador then reviewed U.S. programs in Ecuador: USAID programs in the north and south, assistance to the judicial system, Peace Corps, and assistance to fight narcotics trafficking. She pointed out that the United States and Ecuador had many mutual interests. Correa agreed, asserting that Ecuador had done more than any country in the region to fight narcotics trafficking, and pointed out that in Ecuador there was no cultivation of coca. When the Ambassador said she was pleased she would soon be signing the NAS agreement on counternarcotics cooperation with the Foreign Minister, Correa energetically pointed out that he had personally ordered it be signed. He then raised ATPA benefits, suggesting that at some other time he would like to discuss the issue. The Ambassador said that she could not predict what would happen with the Senate vote on the extension. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador congratulated Correa on the successful way the elections had been carried out. She reported to him that the OAS election observation mission had told her that Ecuador did better every time with the administration of its elections. She also noted that the results had given Correa a clear mandate. Correa said he was very pleased and accepted the fact that much work lay ahead of his government to prepare for the next elections. He said it would not be easy but he was ready for the challenge. Referring back to his U.S. experience, he said that he knew that for Americans it was hard to understand the obstacles he faced and the degree of corruption one encountered in Ecuador. ¶5. (C) Correa raised the Manta Forward Operating Location matter-of-factly, noting that there was a contract between Ecuador and the U.S. and that the contract ran out in 2009. The Ambassador said that the U.S. understood that as well, and that when we left we would be leaving behind excellent installations. Both Correa and ForMin Salvador chimed in to say "Not like in the Galapagos!", and explained to the Ambassador that the U.S. departure from a base in the Galapagos after World War II had left a very bad impression on Ecuadorians. Salvador explained that the U.S. military had destroyed the base including the runway and "thrown equipment into the sea rather than leave behind anything." Repeating that the Manta installations would be in very good condition, the Ambassador said that she did want to request a short meeting with Correa in the near future to discuss something related to Manta that she preferred not to raise at that moment. (Note: See instructions in reftel.) Correa agreed. ¶6. (U) Throughout the conversation, Correa wished the Ambassador a successful time in Ecuador. He noted that he had had very good relations with Ambassador Jewell and he looked forward to good relations with Ambassador Hodges. ¶7. (C) Comment: President Correa is not one to apologize easily, but he has encountered increasing speculation and criticism in the Ecuadorian press over his delay in receiving the U.S. Ambassador, and earlier in the week in public he stated clearly he meant no discourtesy to the American ambassador by not receiving her credentials earlier. He repeatedly apologized to her during this first meeting, with his explanation that the campaigning had simply gotten in the way. The tone of the meeting, and the fact that he structured it for the press to witness the very cordial atmospherics, suggest the picture he wants to project is one of cooperation, not distance. HODGES