LEGISLATIVE HEAD CORDERO OPEN TO U.S. COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000120 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: TWENTY YEARS TAGS: PGOV PREL EC SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE HEAD CORDERO OPEN TO U.S. COOPERATION Classified By: Ambassador Heather Hodges for reason 1.4 (D) ¶1. (C) Summary: In... id: 192653 date: 2/18/2009 17:11 refid: 09QUITO120 origin: Embassy Quito classification: CONFIDENTIAL destination: header: VZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHQT #0120/01 0491711 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 181711Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY QUITO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0037 INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 7967 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 4085 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 3390 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ FEB LIMA 3033 RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL 4102 -------------- header ends -------------- C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000120 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: TWENTY YEARS TAGS: PGOV PREL EC SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE HEAD CORDERO OPEN TO U.S. COOPERATION Classified By: Ambassador Heather Hodges for reason 1.4 (D) ¶1. (C) Summary: In his first meeting with the Ambassador and visiting WHA/AND Director, Legislative Commission President Cordero recognized that a democratic system requires an independent legislative branch. Cordero appeared interested in maintaining a constructive relationship with the U.S., including assistance in training new National Assembly members. He explained that the international relations commission handles only legislative exchanges, not foreign policy substance. End Summary. RELIANCE ON EXECUTIVE'S LEGISLATIVE DRAFTS ¶2. (SBU) Meeting with the Ambassador and WHA/AND Director Kevin Whitaker February 3, Legislative and Oversight Commission President Fernando Cordero acknowledged that the Executive drafted all of the laws the Commission was considering, but insisted that the Commission made significant changes to improve them further. Often called the "Congresillo," the Legislative Commission is composed of 76 of the 130 members of the former Constituent Assembly. The Commission is serving as Ecuador's interim legislature under the transition rules in the new constitution, which took effect October 20, 2008. A National Assembly, to be elected on April 26, will replace the Commission. Cordero is at the top of PAIS's National Assembly party list for seats elected nationwide, and many commentators expect him to preside over the new National Assembly as he has over the Legislative Commission. ¶3. (C) Cordero recognized the importance of the legislature to a democratic system of checks and balances. He expected the new National Assembly to be capable of drafting its own legislation rather than depending on the Executive to propose it. Cordero opined that the Ecuadorian people would not accept a situation where the National Assembly was controlled by the Executive. He admitted that the only oversight activity the Legislative Commission was carrying out was that of Patriotic Society Party member Galo Lara, directed against the Minister of Public Works, which Cordero discounted. He said it would be important for the new National Assembly to have an oversight role. ¶4. (SBU) Cordero described the legislature's right, not enjoyed under the previous constitution, to carry out public trials (juicio politico) and force cabinet ministers from office. He said the Legislative Commission's regulations initially required cabinet ministers to respond to a legislator's information request in five days, but the Commission decided this was unreasonable and extended it to 10 weekdays. CONGRESILLO WORKING AT FRENETIC PACE ¶5. (SBU) Cordero described the challenge the Legislative Commission faced in trying to pass five fundamental laws within its first 120 days, as the constitution required. Briefly updating us on their status, he said the law governing the judiciary was already approved. The second debate on the electoral law was planned for that week, and the first debate on the food sovereignty law the next week. The citizen participation law would be put off past the 120-day deadline due to delays in appointing members of the interim Citizen Participation and Social Control branch of government, which was charged with drafting that law. In addition to the five required laws, Cordero highlighted the Commission's passage of mining and financial security laws. ¶6. (C) Cordero offered a surprising description of the International Relations Commission as a body that sought legislative exchanges with other countries. When asked about its role on foreign policy, Cordero called such matters the prerogative of the Executive. Despite ceding all foreign policy authority to the Executive, he expressed his view on an international matter, namely that it was important Ecuador and Colombia improve their relationship as neighbors and brothers. ELECTIONS AHEAD ¶7. (C) Cordero described the Proud and Sovereign Fatherland (PAIS) movement's January 25 primaries as a democratic exercise, claiming that many citizens had voted. He expressed confidence that PAIS would win a strong majority on April 26. Cordero recognized the need for an opposition, which he said should be intelligent and engaged (implying the current opposition members did not meet these criteria). ¶8. (SBU) According to Cordero, only 23 of the 80 PAIS members in the former Constituent Assembly would be running for the National Assembly. The Ambassador asked about training for new Assembly members to prepare them to work effectively. Cordero said he was aware of this need and he was talking to international donors, including USAID. COMMENT: LIP SERVICE TO INDEPENDENT LEGISLATURE? ¶9. (C) Cordero's stated belief in an independent legislature does not mesh with his subservience to date to President Correa's wishes. Clearly Correa dominates the political scene, limiting Cordero's room for manuever. So far Cordero has been the loyal foot soldier following the general's (Correa's) orders. Nonetheless, it is possible that Cordero will stake out a somewhat more independent position after the April elections. HODGES =======================CABLE ENDS============================