

Currently released so far... 12900 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AE
ASEC
AS
AR
AMGT
AFIN
AORC
AU
AG
AF
APER
ABLD
ADCO
ABUD
AM
AID
AJ
AEMR
AMED
AL
ASUP
AN
AIT
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AA
AGMT
AINF
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AY
AADP
ARF
ACS
AGR
AMCHAMS
AECL
AUC
APEC
APECO
AFGHANISTAN
ACAO
ASEAN
ADM
AGAO
AND
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
AROC
APCS
AORG
AO
AODE
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AZ
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ASCH
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
BR
BO
BA
BM
BL
BH
BK
BEXP
BILAT
BTIO
BF
BU
BD
BY
BE
BG
BB
BBSR
BT
BRUSSELS
BP
BX
BC
BIDEN
BMGT
BWC
BN
BTIU
CA
CS
CO
CD
CR
CPAS
CDG
CI
CDC
CBW
CU
CVIS
CE
CONS
CH
CMGT
CASC
CY
CW
CG
CJAN
CIDA
CODEL
CWC
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CFED
CLINTON
CAC
CL
CACS
CIC
CHR
CAPC
CM
CT
CTR
COM
CROS
CN
COPUOS
CV
CF
CARSON
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
CYPRUS
COUNTER
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CARICOM
CB
CSW
CITT
CACM
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
CNARC
CIS
EFIN
ECON
ETRD
EAID
EC
EU
EUN
EINV
EG
ETTC
EIND
ELAB
EAGR
ECIN
EINT
ENRG
EFIS
ELTN
EAIR
EPET
EZ
ET
ENERG
ECPS
EWWT
EI
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ER
ES
EN
EMIN
ESENV
ENNP
ENGR
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENVI
ECINECONCS
ELN
EFTA
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXTERNAL
ENIV
ESA
EPA
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUR
ECUN
EXIM
EK
EUREM
ECONOMY
EUMEM
ERNG
EFINECONCS
EAIDS
ECA
ETRC
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
EAIG
EUC
ERD
IQ
IR
IS
IN
IA
IC
IZ
ICRC
ID
IDA
IT
IO
IAEA
ICJ
ICAO
IV
IBRD
IMF
IAHRC
IWC
ILO
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
ICTY
INRB
ITALY
IBET
IL
INTELSAT
ISRAELI
IMO
IDP
ICTR
ITRA
IRC
IRAQI
IEFIN
IPR
IIP
INMARSAT
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
IRS
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
ISRAEL
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
IACI
INDO
KPAO
KMDR
KCOR
KNNP
KJUS
KCRM
KDEM
KVPR
KTFN
KPRP
KTIP
KSCA
KSUM
KTEX
KIDE
KIRF
KV
KTIA
KN
KG
KFRD
KWMN
KUNR
KISL
KU
KGHG
KPKO
KOMS
KPAL
KIPR
KMCA
KOMC
KRVC
KSEP
KAWC
KOLY
KWBG
KACT
KFLO
KHIV
KZ
KGIC
KBCT
KDRG
KBTR
KCFE
KE
KHLS
KMPI
KAWK
KPWR
KIRC
KRAD
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLU
KPLS
KRIM
KSTH
KDDG
KPRV
KICC
KS
KSAF
KBIO
KREC
KCGC
KCIP
KTDB
KWAC
KPAI
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KSTC
KMFO
KID
KNAR
KMIG
KVRP
KNEI
KGIT
KNSD
KHDP
KSAC
KWMM
KR
KCOM
KAID
KENV
KVIR
KHSA
KO
KCRS
KPOA
KTER
KFIN
KSPR
KTBT
KX
KCMR
KMOC
KCRCM
KBTS
KSEO
KOCI
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KSCI
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KMRS
KNPP
KJUST
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KGCC
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KPIR
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KRGY
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
MARR
MOPS
MUCN
MCAP
MNUC
MEPP
MTCRE
MASS
MO
MIL
MX
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTCR
MK
MG
MA
MY
MU
ML
MPS
MW
MD
MARAD
MC
MR
MT
MTRE
MASC
MRCRE
MAPP
MZ
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPN
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
MASSMNUC
NI
NZ
NL
NO
NPT
NATO
NS
NU
NP
NPA
NSFO
NDP
NT
NW
NASA
NSG
NE
NORAD
NAFTA
NG
NATIONAL
NSSP
NV
NSF
NK
NA
NEW
NPG
NR
NGO
NIPP
NZUS
NH
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
NSC
OIIP
OPRC
OTRA
OEXC
OREP
OSCE
OVIP
OPAD
OBSP
OECD
OFFICIALS
OAS
OPDC
ODIP
OPCW
OES
OFDP
OPIC
OCS
OIC
OHUM
OSCI
OVP
ODC
OIE
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFDA
ON
OCII
PREL
PINR
PGOV
PARM
PE
PTER
PHUM
PO
PINS
PREF
PK
PM
POL
PBTS
PNAT
PHSA
PAS
PA
PL
PGIV
PHUMPREL
POGOV
PAK
PEL
PROP
PP
PINL
PBT
PTBS
PG
PINF
PRL
PALESTINIAN
PSEPC
POSTS
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PGOC
PNR
PREFA
PMIL
POLITICS
POLICY
PROV
PBIO
PREO
PAO
PDOV
PGOF
POV
PCI
PRAM
PSI
POLITICAL
PAIGH
PJUS
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PY
PLN
PHUH
PF
PHUS
PU
PARTIES
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
RU
RS
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
RO
RW
RCMP
RSO
RP
RM
ROOD
RFE
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RF
RELATIONS
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
SENV
SY
SNAR
SCUL
SP
SF
SW
SOCI
SU
SMIG
SO
SA
SR
SZ
SI
SC
SEVN
SN
STEINBERG
SK
SH
SNARCS
SPCE
SARS
SNARN
SG
SL
SYRIA
SIPRS
SAARC
SNARIZ
SWE
SYR
SEN
SCRS
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SENVKGHG
SANC
SHI
SHUM
TU
TSPA
TBIO
TS
TRGY
TINT
TPHY
TN
TW
TH
TZ
TSPL
TP
TBID
TI
TF
TD
TT
TNGD
TL
TC
THPY
TIP
TX
TV
TK
TERRORISM
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
TR
UK
UNSC
UNGA
UNESCO
UNHRC
UP
UN
USTR
US
UNDC
UY
UNICEF
UNDP
UNMIK
UNAUS
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
UG
UNIDROIT
UNO
UV
UNHCR
UNEP
USEU
UZ
UNCND
USUN
UNCHR
USNC
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
UNPUOS
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 07QUITO643, Mission Actions To Counter "No Bases" Conference
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #07QUITO643.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
07QUITO643 | 2007-03-20 12:04 | 2011-05-02 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Quito |
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHQT #0643/01 0791204
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 201204Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY QUITO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6584
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA IMMEDIATE 6536
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAR 0500
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA IMMEDIATE 1514
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS IMMEDIATE 2449
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL IMMEDIATE 2069
UNCLAS QUITO 000643
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
REFTEL: QUITO 00420, QUITO 00537, QUITO 554, QUITO 556, QUITO 587
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINR PGOV EC PREL MARR MASS
SUBJECT: Mission Actions To Counter "No Bases" Conference
¶1. (SBU) Summary: The International Network for the Abolition of
Foreign Military Bases (INAFMB) held their international conference
in Ecuador March 5-9. An estimated 400 foreign activists from 40
nations attended meetings and rallies in Quito and Manta (site of
the U.S. Forward Operating Location - FOL). While neither President
Correa nor any other Ecuadorian cabinet-level minister attended
conference events, INAFMB representatives met with Correa in his
office, and the undersecretary for defense reaffirmed the GOE's
intent not to renew the FOL agreement in remarks at the opening
ceremony. The Embassy countered the conference's misinformation
campaign with an aggressive information outreach strategy and
private diplomacy aimed at key GOE and City of Manta officials. In
the end, the INAFMB conference was overshadowed by the ongoing
institutional impasse between Ecuador's electoral body and its
Congress, and our media efforts generated positive press coverage of
the FOL and its mission. End Summary.
Background: "No-Bases" Conference
¶2. (SBU) An estimated 400 international activists from over 40
nations arrived in Ecuador for the International Network for the
Abolition of Foreign Military Bases' March 5-9 conference. The
INAFMB Ecuador conference sought to highlight the "political,
social, economic, and environmental impact of foreign military bases
and the grassroots movements dedicated to opposing their existence,"
the organization affirmed in event literature. The INAFMB website
(www.no-bases.net) notes that the organization was formed in 2003 to
connect various anti-bases movements around the world. The network
through its global activism hopes to reduce what it views as rising
"militarization" and use of "force" around the world with the aim of
encouraging a "lasting and just system of peace." The organization
appears to be non-violent in nature.
Private Diplomacy
3.(SBU) Prior to the "No-Bases" conference, the Ambassador met with
Minister of Defense Lorena Escobar (reftel), Quito Mayor Paco
Montayno, and Security Advisor to Correa Fernando Bustamante to
exchange views on the upcoming conference and to discuss the
importance of the FOL in the regional anti-narcotics fight. The PAO
and PolOffs also met with conference attendees from the American
Friends Service Committee and the Washington Office on Latin America
to discuss the role of the FOL in Ecuador. The activists asked
Embassy officials to respond to a series of allegations by
conference participants including that the FOL is part of Plan
Colombia, used to launch aerial fumigations planes in Colombia, and
had had a negative social and environmental impact on the City of
Manta. Embassy officers explained the limited scope of the FOL
based on the 1999 agreement between the U.S. and Ecaudor, and noted
that the FOL is an important tool in combating regional narcotics
trafficking. Officers repeatedly noted that the FOL is not a U.S.
military base, but rather a small operation located on the
Ecuadorian Eloy Alfaro Airbase, and explained that, to the contrary
of having a negative social or environmental impact, it has been
actively engaged in community improvement projects and confers a
significant, positive economic impact in Manta. While the group
remained skeptical, they thanked Embassy officials for taking the
time to meet and provide the USG perspective. The WOLA
representative mentioned she is writing an article on the FOL to be
published soon.
¶4. (SBU) In a March 7 meeting with CG and PolChief, Manta mayor
Jorge Zambrano expressed more support than he has previously for the
presence of the FOL, and suggested the USG continue efforts to
educate the Ecuadorian public to the benefits of the FOL. CG
expressed appreciation for Zambrano's recent public statements
extolling the benefits of the FOL to Manta and the nation, and
inquired about the mayor's views on a possible local referendum on
the FOL. Zambrano said the local political consensus was in favor
of a referendum, but he agreed with Embassy concerns that if
proposed to national electoral authorities, the Correa government
might try to convert the measure into a national referendum, leading
to likely failure of the measure. Zambrano also expressed concern
that if held locally, the costs of the referendum would come out of
his budget. (Those costs are estimated at $80,000.) While some
advocate holding the referendum concurrently with the April 15
referendum on the national constituent assembly, Zambrano said it
would be preferable to hold the local referendum on the FOL
separately. In any case, he said, the earliest practical time to
hold a local referendum would be on the date for elections to the
assembly, if approved, in August/September. Zambrano suggested
that local support for the FOL was strong, but much ignorance still
exists about it, even among Manta residents. Turning to the issue
of upgrading the Manta airport to international status, the CG
explained to Zambrano that we believe the FOL could easily coexist
with and in fact support an international airport, made possible by
USG investment in creating the best runway in South America.
Zambrano agreed, and suggested that the USG consider contributing
radar to the airport which would benefit both military and civilian
users.
GOE Reaffirms Non-Renewal, But Stays Clear of Conference
¶5. (SBU) Members of the "No-Bases Coalition of Ecuador" and the
INAFMB met with Correa and Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa
in Correa's office on March 8. According to the INAFMB and press
reports, Correa reaffirmed his position not to renew the FOL
agreement after its 2009 expiry date. Although Correa and Escudero
were invited to participate in the INAFMB conference inauguration,
both declined. Escudero instead sent Undersecretary of Defense
Miguel Carvajal, who also reaffirmed the GOE position not to renew
the agreement after 2009, calling it a matter of national security
(reftel). Quito Mayor Paco Moncayo welcomed the group not to
associate himself with its cause but because he viewed the large
international delegation as an opportunity to promote Quito
touristically. Moncayo, a retired Ecuadorian general, stressed the
importance of a "civilian" debate over national security matters,
and lamented the lack of civilian security experts in Ecuador.
National Security Advisor to Correa, Fernando Bustamante,
represented Correa at conference events held in Manta on March 9.
ORGANIZERS SPREAD MISINFORMATION ABOUT U.S. BASES
¶6. (U) Meeting organizers engaged in aggressive media outreach that
included interviews with two national television and four national
radio chains. Media dedicated almost daily coverage to the event,
but not as prominently as we had feared. The concept of "735 U.S.
bases around the world" was a recurring theme of their press
materials. Their message also centered on misinformation including
the idea that U.S. bases allowed the USG to control water and oil
resources worldwide, contributed to pollution and environmental
degradation and were the cause of alarming increases in prostitution
in communities where they are located.
EMBASSY EFFORTS TO COUNTER MISINFORMATION
¶7. (U) The Embassy used State/IIP products, Southcom fact sheets
regarding global security priorities, and locally produced materials
to dispel the misinformation circulated by the conference
organizers. Post personally discussed the materials with
journalists as a way to provide balance to reporting on the No Bases
conference. The majority of national newspapers who covered the
event included Embassy-originated information as part of their
reporting. Our explanation that there are 34 U.S. overseas bases in
countries such as Korea, Japan and Spain, not 735 bases, and that
U.S. security alliances with these and many other countries
(including Ecuador) help ensure global security and stability,
helped temper the organizers' notion that the USG was imposing its
security agenda on other countries via its overseas bases. DCM,
Consul General, PAO, DAO and IO conducted on-the-record interviews
with national and regional news outlets prior to and during the
conference to underscore USG points. Five national radio stations,
three national newspapers and regional television stations broadcast
these interviews from March 5-8.
¶8. (U) PAS organized FOL tours for TV stations whose broadcasts
coincided with the conference. A four-part series entitled,
"Positive Action in the Manta FOL" was broadcast by the country's
largest television network, TC Television. The series focused on
the threat of narcotrafficking in the region and the positive
economic and social impact of FOL personnel in the Manta community.
Following the conference, PAS welcomed some of the country's most
widely recognized news anchors from Ecuavisa, the country's
second-largest network, to the FOL for a full day of interviews and
briefings to underscore its counter narcotics mission and dispel the
misinformation that the USG conducted subversive or armed operations
from Manta.
Embassy to Continue Information Campaign
¶9. (SBU) Over the next year, the Mission will continue its campaign
to inform Ecuadorian opinion shapers and the general public about
the FOL and the benefits of U.S.-Ecuador counter-narcotics
cooperation via private and public diplomacy, and FOL visits. We
also are requesting separate funding from the Department and DOD for
paid media placements to inform the public about the FOL, and for an
enhanced Manta community relations campaign to increase support for
the FOL in key constituencies in and around Manta.
Comment
¶10. (SBU) The "No-Bases" conference presented the Mission with
excellent opportunities to educate the GOE and the Ecuadorian and
international media about the exclusive counter-narcotics mission
and positive results of the FOL. The Ambassador's meetings with the
new Defense Minister and the president's security advisor provided
them with the USG perspective on how the FOL benefits Ecuador and
protects its sovereignty. By shining a light on the FOL, the
conference may even have inadvertently helped us capture the
attention of undecided and uninformed observers and to absorb a
balanced review of the facts. The Mission's extensive media
outreach efforts, including media visits to the FOL and radio and TV
interviews, exposed millions of Ecuadorians to the USG perspective
on the FOL and bilateral counter-narcotics cooperation and countered
the organizers' anti-FOL propaganda.
JEWELL