GAS-AND-GO LOOKS LIKE A GO

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000057 E.O. 12958: DECL: TWENTY YEARS TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS SNAR ETRD EC SUBJECT: GAS-AND-GO LOOKS LIKE A GO REF: A. QUITO 0010 ¶B. 2008 QUITO 1115 Classified By: Ambassador Heather M. Hodges for... id: 188984 date: 1/27/2009 12:33 refid: 09QUITO57 origin: Embassy Quito classification: CONFIDENTIAL destination: 08QUITO1115|09QUITO10 header: O 271233Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY QUITO TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9914 INFO AMEMBASSY BOGOTA AMEMBASSY BRASILIA AMEMBASSY CARACAS AMEMBASSY LA PAZ AMEMBASSY LIMA AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL USSOUTHAF DAVIS MONTHAN AFB AZ OSAF WASHDC NSC WASHDC 2260 COGARD TISCOM ALEXANDRIA VA SECNAV WASHDC HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL DIA WASHINGTON DC SECARMY WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC JOINT STAFF WASHDC CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL DIRJIATF SOUTH J2 -------------- header ends -------------- C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000057 E.O. 12958: DECL: TWENTY YEARS TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS SNAR ETRD EC SUBJECT: GAS-AND-GO LOOKS LIKE A GO REF: A. QUITO 0010 ¶B. 2008 QUITO 1115 Classified By: Ambassador Heather M. Hodges for Reasons 1.4 (b&d) ¶1. (C) Summary: At a wide-ranging lunch for the Ambassador on January 26, a warm and friendly President Correa gave a firm green light for discussion and development of a gas-and-go model for anti-narcotics cooperation with the U.S., following the shutdown of the Manta Forward Operating Location. Referring to the Andean Trade Preferences Act, Correa raised the importance to Ecuador of a stable and predictable trade relationship with the U.S. Correa also expressed particular concern over a recent, potentially dangerous, demonstration at the Ambassador's Residence. End summary. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador was invited to have lunch with President Correa shortly after the new Foreign Minister, Fander Falconi, commented within days of the Obama inauguration that there was a "golden opportunity" for Ecuador to increase and noticeably improve its bilateral relations with the U.S. Correa was accompanied at the lunch, which took place on January 26, by his communications advisor Vinicio Alvarado, Coordinating Minister for Production Susana Cabeza de Vaca, and the new Deputy Foreign Minister Lautaro Pozo. When Correa realized that the Ambassador was unaccompanied, he asked Information Officer Marta Youth to join the group. ¶3. (C) It was immediately clear it was Correa's intention to have a friendly lunch. Most of the conversation evolved around Ecuadorian domestic issues including the previous day's PAIS primaries, reforms the Correa Administration has carried out or wants to (taxation, company profit-sharing, etc.),his vision for PAIS (he hopes it never becomes a party since they had formed PAIS to fight against the "caciques" of the traditional parties). U.S.-related discussions ranged from Correa's best wishes for the Obama administration, to his high regard for Secretary Clinton ("a very intelligent women"),to admiration for Senator McCain ("he was a formidable candidate"),to interest in the process of appointing U.S. ambassadors, political and career. ¶4. (C) Correa asked about the new embassy. The Ambassador noted that one advantage was that demonstrators didn't bother to make their way to the new site. (Correa: "I'm not surprised ) they're a lazy bunch.") But, the Ambassador added, the problem is that now they come to the Residence. She went on to describe the January 3 anti-Israel demonstration at the Residence including the spray-painting of the perimeter walls and an individual waving a gun. Correa reacted immediately, expressing deep concern. Picking up his personal voice recorder, he dictated, "I want a report on the demonstration at the American Ambassador's residence." He also expressed dismay that the police had delayed in their arrival. (Comment: Clearly the news of the demonstration made an impression, or Correa wanted to show that it made an impression. When the Ambassador was leaving, Correa walked her to the elevator where he saw her bodyguard and another national policeman, and told them how shocked he was not to have heard about the demonstration. End comment.) ¶5. (C) Finally the Ambassador said she wanted to raise something she had discussed with Vinicio Alvarado (reftel B). Correa asked her to proceed. The Ambassador said that she was aware that in discussions with Ambassador Jewell, Correa had left the door slightly open to some sort of post-FOL counternarcotics cooperation. The U.S. was interested in knowing whether a "gas-and-go" type arrangement might be possible. She described the agreement with Panama, whereby the Coast Guard flew into Panama, re-fueled, overnighted and continued their counternarcotics mission. When she finished her pitch, Correa affirmatively said, "Whatever it takes to fight narcotics trafficking." (Comment: a word of caution: although he used these words, Correa was clearly only agreeing to a gas-and-go arrangement. End comment.) He added that an arrangement with civilians was a possibility. The Ambassador asked about follow-up. Correa agreed that Deputy Minister Pozo would be the point of contact. (Ambassador has an appointment on February 2 to see Pozo.) ¶6. (C) Correa then said, "Since we are talking business, let's talk about ATPA. Ecuador would like to find a way to get away from the uncertainties of the ATPA extensions." The Ambassador said that she fully understood the difficulties that Ecuador had experienced with the short extensions. She noted that at least the last extension had been for a year, with the proviso the Executive branch could review Ecuador's performance in six months. She pointed out that it was not entirely clear whether the Congress expected the review. In any case, she explained that, after trips to rose farms where she saw how many women were employed in jobs affected by ATPA, she was a strong supporter of greater certainty for the exporters. But she cautioned Correa that Congress might find trade preference extensions easier to deal with than some other yet-to-be designed trade framework. Furthermore, Peru's free trade agreement, and Colombia's pending agreement, might leave Ecuador alone in its quest for something different. She suggested Ecuador talk to its friends in Congress to explore what might be possible. ¶7. (C) Comment: It was apparent that Correa wanted to show his best intentions for good relations with the U.S. It may be that we are once again seeing the "take shots at the U.S. in public, make nice in private" Correa that we have seen before. Or, it could be that our stiff lecture to Foreign Minister Falconi (reftel A),and the balance of payments crisis, have helped focus attention by Correa on Ecuador's most important bilateral relationship. In any event, we have a significant green light on important post-FOL cooperation, which we will pursue immediately. Although Correa raised ATPA immediately after the Manta discussion, we did not get the impression that this was a quid-pro-quo. HODGES =======================CABLE ENDS============================