(S/NF) ECUADOR MILITARY AND SECURITY TOPICS

S E C R E T STATE 040697

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2034
TAGS: PINR MCAP PGOV PREL EC
SUBJECT: (S/NF) ECUADOR MILITARY AND SECURITY TOPICS
(C-AL9-00754)

REF: A. 09 QUITO 000103

B. 08 QUITO 000331

C. 08 QUITO ...




id: 203788
date: 4/23/2009 14:48
refid: 09STATE40697
origin: Secretary of State
classification: SECRET//NOFORN
destination: 08QUITO1042|08QUITO331|08QUITO504|08QUITO929|09QUITO103|09QUITO109|09QUITO114
header:
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #0697 1131506
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 231448Z APR 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY QUITO 4148


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S E C R E T STATE 040697

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2034
TAGS: PINR MCAP PGOV PREL EC
SUBJECT: (S/NF) ECUADOR MILITARY AND SECURITY TOPICS
(C-AL9-00754)

REF: A. 09 QUITO 000103

B. 08 QUITO 000331

C. 08 QUITO 000504

D. 08 QUITO 001042

E. 08 QUITO 000929

F. 09 QUITO 000114

G. 09 QUITO 000109

Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS GREATLY APPRECIATE ALL
EFFORTS TO PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO ECUADORIAN SECURITY ISSUES.
REPORTING HAS TIME AND AGAIN PROVED TO BE A VALUABLE RESOURCE
FOR UNDERSTANDING IMPORTANT SECURITY ISSUES, SUCH AS
PRESIDENT CORREA'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MILITARY AND
SECURITY FORCES, THE SITUATION ALONG THE NORTHERN BORDER, AND
ECUADOR'S EFFORTS TO MODERNIZE ITS WEAPONS ARSENAL AND EXPAND
ITS MILITARY TO MILITARY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.
ANALYSTS HAVE USED REPORTING IN RECENT WRITTEN PRODUCTION AND
ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON ADDITIONAL CURRENT AND LONG-TERM
PRODUCTION ON THESE TOPICS. AS TIME AND RESOURCES PERMIT,
ANALYSTS WOULD READ WITH INTEREST ANY ADDITIONAL INSIGHT POST
MAY HAVE INTO THE QUESTIONS BELOW, IF IT CAN BE ACQUIRED IN
THE COURSE OF NORMAL DUTIES. MANY THANKS, AND REGARDS FROM
WASHINGTON.


A. (S/NF) WHAT HAS BEEN THE MILITARY'S REACTION TO CORREA'S
ELIMINATION OF MILITARY BENEFITS AND BUSINESSES? HOW HAS THE
LOSS OF THE MILITARY COMPANIES AFFECTED THE BUDGET? WHAT
PLANS DOES THE MILITARY HAVE TO COMPENSATE FOR THESE LOSSES?


B. (S/NF) IN LIGHT OF RECENT BUDGET CUTS, HOW WILL THE
ARMED FORCES ADJUST THEIR PRIORITIES? WHAT IS THE STATUS OF
THE SUPER TUCANO SALE? IS THE MILITARY STILL SEEKING TO
PURCHASE RADAR EQUIPMENT FROM CHINA? WHAT IS THE STATUS OF
THIS DEAL? WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES IS THE GOVERNMENT LOOKING TO
FOR WEAPONS PURCHASES AND WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THOSE
AGREEMENTS?


C. (S/NF) HOW DO THE ARMED FORCES AND THE NATIONAL POLICE
FEEL ABOUT THE DIMINISHING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE US? HOW
WILL THIS IMPACT THEIR MISSIONS? DO THEY EXPECT LOW-LEVEL
COOPERATION TO CONTINUE?


D. (S/NF) WHICH COUNTRIES IS ECUADOR TURNING TO FOR
MILITARY ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION? WHAT COUNTRIES ARE
PROVIDING TRAINING TO THE ARMED FORCES AND WHAT DOES THIS
TRAINING CONSIST OF?


E. (S/NF) WHAT IS THE FARC'S CURRENT STATUS ALONG THE
BORDER?


F. (S/NF) WHAT OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES ARE GOING ON IN
THE BORDER REGION? WHICH GROUPS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE
ACTIVITIES? IS THE FARC INVOLVED IN THESE ACTIVITIES AT ALL?
WHAT IS THE MILITARY OR POLICE DOING ABOUT THESE ACTIVITIES?


2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL9-00754 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF
REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.
CLINTON

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