ECUADOR ON DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS DEMARCHE

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 001023 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/12/03 TAGS: PREL UNGA PHUM EC SUBJECT: ECUADOR ON DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS DEMARCHE REF: STATE 122639; QUITO 965 CLASSIFIED BY: Heather M. Hodges, Ambassador, U.S. Department of State, Executive Office; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (C) PolOff delivered Ref A points on December 2 to the MFA's Acting Director General for Multilateral Affairs, Leon Avila. Avila said he would not be able to respond substantively until he spoke with Director General Lourdes Puma, who was out of the country until December 6, and who had already discussed the issue with Poloff (Ref B). Avila said that Ecuador had traditionally abstained on this resolution. He noted that defamation of religions was a serious issue, but that such a resolution would have "serious consequences." However, he also said that the current government in Ecuador had a different policy toward "those nations" (apparently referring to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)),and that the MFA would follow orders from the President. Implying that Correa may support the defamation of religions resolution, Avila commented that "this government does not take advice from the MFA." Embassy will continue to follow up with the Foreign Ministry. HODGES