EMBASSY SUGGESTIONS FOR DELEGATION TO ATTEND

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000571 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: TWENTY YEARS TAGS: PGOV EC SUBJECT: EMBASSY SUGGESTIONS FOR DELEGATION TO ATTEND CORREA INAUGURATION REF: QUITO 506 Classified By: Acting DCM Nan Fife for Reasons 1.4 (b and d) 1.(U) Summary: This cable conveys Embassy Quito's suggestions for the U.S. delegation to attend the August 10 inauguration of President Rafael Correa. End summary. HEAD OF DELEGATION ¶2. (SBU) Embassy understands that the Secretary of Education has been invited to Quito for the VI OAS Education Ministers meeting on August 12-14. We do not know whether he has accepted. If he has, perhaps he could be persuaded to arrive earlier to head the inaugural delegation. Secretary Duncan would be an appropriate representative at the August 10 inauguration given the GOE's interest in education reform. Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator, would also be an appropriate representative since the environment is a topic that is of interest to the Correa Administration and something that the USG and the GOE usually see eye-to-eye on. POSSIBLE OTHER MEMBERS ¶3. (SBU) Post is not aware of any high-profile Ecuadorian-Americans who would be appropriate for this event. However some other ideas are: a. Arturo Valenzuela, WHA A/S b. Dan Restrepo, NSC Senior Director c. Richard Herman, Chancellor (CEO) of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, President Correa's alma mater for his PhD; d. Congressman James McGovern, who visited Ecuador last year; e. Congressman Eliot Engels, who also visited Ecuador last year; f. Elizabeth Harman Brainard, daughter of John Harman and author of the book "Railroad in the Sky." John Harman and his brother worked with President Eloy Alfaro to build the Guayaquil-Quito Railroad from 1897-1908. Eloy Alfaro is one of President Correa's heroes. g. A high-ranking member of the environment conservation community, such as: --Russell Mittermeier, President of Conservation International and a legend in the conservation world; --Thomas Lovejoy, a pioneer in conservation biology and currently an advisor to the World Bank. WORDS OF CAUTION ¶4. (SBU) The Foreign Ministry has told us that there will only be room for three (3) delegates - the Ambassador plus two - in the swearing in and subsequent lunch. Other events, e.g. the evening reception, are open for more delegates. There may be room to push back on this restriction. ¶5. (C) We considered Ecuadorian-American entrepreneurs but are not aware of many. Also, Correa is generally scornful of business persons. PARTICIPATION FROM OTHER COUNTRIES ¶6. (C) We are trying to ascertain who will attend from Iran. Chavez and other ALBA countries are likely to attend. ¶7. (SBU) According to the MFA Protocol Office, the presidents of Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Chile will attend. Enrique Garcia, the CAF president, is also planning on attending. The British will not send anyone. Crown Prince Felipe of Spain is nearly certain to attend. Additionally, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) meeting will be held in Quito on August 10 immediately preceding the inauguration. The MFA believes that most of the 11 presidents from UNASUR countries will stay for the inauguration ceremony. Japan may send a congressman. HODGES