CORREA'S INAUGURATION FOR 2ND PRESIDENTIAL TERM

UNCLAS QUITO 000716

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR PTER OVIP KNUC EC CO CU VE NI
SUBJECT: CORREA'S INAUGURATION FOR 2ND PRESIDENTIAL TERM


1. (SBU) Summary: President Correa's August 10 inauguration
day schedule was packed, combining swearing-in events with
the transfer of the rotating presidency of UNASUR (septel).
The political speeches during the day were heavily
ideological and meant to ratify the goals of Correa's
"citizens' revolution." Correa made one neutral reference to
the U.S., but also a number of anti-American remarks. End
Summary.


2. (U) The inauguration ceremony took place on August 10, as
the government had desired, on the same date that Ecuadorians
celebrated the 200th anniversary of Ecuador's First Call for
Independence. The main event was held at the National
Assembly building and was attended by high ranking
Ecuadorians, eight heads of state, other delegations, special
guests, and members of the diplomatic corps.


3. (U) During his inauguration speech, Correa highlighted the
pillars of his citizens' revolution, the new constitution,
criticism of the media, and reduction in debt payments. He
rejoiced in his unprecedented electoral triumph and the
support he received from the Ecuadorian people. No opposition
legislators attended the event.


4. (SBU) In regard to foreign relations, Correa made a
commitment to promote bilateral relations "based on dialogue,
cooperation, and the development of constructive agendas with
all the countries of the world, as today we are showing in
the bilateral agendas with countries such as Peru, Chile, the
U.S., and the rest of our brother countries of the continent,
provided that such relations are based on mutual respect and
respect for our sovereignty." He also pointed out that his
government would continue to strengthen South-South relations.


5. (SBU) Correa's speech was not lacking in negative
references to the U.S. and what he alleged were imperialistic
U.S. interests. He touched on the U.S. while speaking about
economic issues, but his remarks became sharper when he
addressed the Ecuador-Colombia border conflict and the U.S.
fight against narco-trafficking. Correa stated, "I hope that
the installation of military bases on Colombia soil does not
propose to strengthen the war-prone policy of our neighbor
government, and combat, not narco-trafficking, but the
insurgent governments of our American continent." He pointed
to what he called a double standard because the GOC was
arguing that U.S. access to bases in Colombia was strictly a
Colombian affair, while nuclear programs (presumably meaning
Iran's) that were considered hostile to "certain centers of
power" were treated as an issue of global concern.


6. (SBU) Referring to the U.S. Forward Operating Location
(FOL) in Manta, Ecuador, Correa went on to suggest that the
United States' true motives were being hidden: "A few days
ago, the last foreign soldier that was in our territory went
back to his country, and we had the satisfaction of
announcing to Ecuadorians that we had recovered our
territorial sovereignty, which in a moment of surrender was
mutilated in favor of another government, whose goals are not
necessarily those advocated in public." (Note: It is not
accurate that all U.S. military have left Manta -- the last
of the U.S. presence will depart September 18. End Note.)


7. (SBU) Correa made a point of celebrating the triumph of
his citizen revolution with the common people of Ecuador by
hosting an event for them at a soccer stadium, with
performances by popular entertainers and political speeches.
Most of the cabinet was in attendance, as well as Presidents
Chavez, Zelaya, and Raul Castro. Correa referred to what he
termed imperialism, saying that U.S. bases in Colombia were a
provocation and that if war was wanted, the countries of
Latin America would be ready and united. Castro's speech
mentioned that President Obama was a man of good intentions,
but that no coups had occurred in South American without U.S.
authorization. After Castro had spoken for more than ten
minutes, there were some hisses or whistles from the crowd;
Correa seemed to notice and made a few motions to the crowd
for patience. Chavez spoke about Bolivar, recited a poem,
congratulated Ecuador, and was otherwise low-key. Although
the stadium was arranged so that it only needed to be half
full, by the end of the speeches many people in the audience
had left.

OTHER EVENTS WITH OFFICIAL GUESTS
--------------


8. (SBU) The Ecuadorian government offered two luncheons,
one hosted by President Correa for heads of state and the
other by Vice President Lenin Moreno for the other
delegations. The Ambassador introduced the U.S. delegation
to Vice President Moreno. The site for the evening reception
was a large historic convent, a popular tourist attraction,
and all visiting delegations were invited to attend.
Although President Correa arrived very late, the Ambassador
succeeded in introducing the U.S. delegation to Correa.

COMMENT
--------------


9. (SBU) Correa's inauguration speech broke no new ground in
sending mixed signals about his intended relationship with
the U.S. On the one hand, he mentioned the U.S. as an
example of a country with which Ecuador sustained an ongoing
bilateral agenda for cooperation, and emphasized the need for
mutual respect between the countries. On the other hand, his
speeches throughout the day were peppered with words of
mistrust and negative references to the U.S. and U.S.
interests.

HODGES