

Currently released so far... 12404 / 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
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
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 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 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
ASEC
AE
AF
AM
AR
AJ
AU
AORC
AG
AEMR
AMGT
APER
AGMT
AL
AFIN
AO
AMED
ADCO
AS
ABUD
ABLD
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APECO
AID
AND
AMBASSADOR
AN
ARM
AY
AODE
AMG
ASCH
AMCHAMS
ARF
APCS
APEC
ASEAN
AGAO
ANET
ADPM
ACOA
ACABQ
AORL
AFFAIRS
ATRN
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ADANA
ASIG
AA
AX
AUC
AC
AECL
AADP
AGRICULTURE
AMEX
ACAO
ACBAQ
AQ
AORG
ADM
AINF
AIT
ASEX
AGR
AROC
ATFN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AZ
AVERY
BA
BY
BU
BR
BE
BL
BO
BK
BM
BILAT
BH
BEXP
BF
BTIO
BC
BBSR
BMGT
BTIU
BG
BWC
BB
BD
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BN
BIDEN
BT
CW
CH
CF
CD
CV
CVIS
CM
CE
CA
CJAN
CLINTON
CIA
CU
CASC
CI
CO
CACM
CDB
CN
CMGT
CS
CG
CBW
CIS
CR
CONDOLEEZZA
CPAS
CAN
CWC
CY
COUNTER
CDG
CL
CT
CIC
CIDA
CSW
CHR
CB
CODEL
COUNTERTERRORISM
CTR
COM
CICTE
CFED
CJUS
CKGR
CBSA
CEUDA
CARSON
CONS
CITEL
CLMT
CROS
CITT
CAC
CVR
CDC
CAPC
COPUOS
CBC
CBE
CARICOM
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CTM
CNARC
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EUN
EFIS
EG
ETTC
EZ
EPET
EAID
EAGR
ENRG
ECUN
EU
ELAB
ECPS
EAIR
EINV
ELTN
EWWT
EIND
EMIN
EI
ECIN
ENVR
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
EN
ES
ER
EC
EUC
EINT
EINVETC
ENGR
ET
EK
ENIV
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ECONOMY
EAP
EFTA
EUR
EUMEM
EXIM
ERD
ENERG
EUREM
ESA
ERNG
EXTERNAL
EPA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ECONOMICS
ELN
EINN
EFINECONCS
ENNP
EEPET
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ENVI
ETRO
ESENV
ECINECONCS
ECONOMIC
EAIDS
EDU
ETRA
ETRN
EFIM
EIAR
ETRC
EAIG
EXBS
EURN
ECIP
EREL
ECA
ENGY
ECONCS
ECONEFIN
ETC
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINDETRD
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
INRB
IRAJ
IQ
IN
IT
IMO
INTERPOL
ICAO
IO
IC
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ICTY
ID
IPR
IWC
ILC
INTELSAT
IL
IBRD
IMF
IA
IRC
ICRC
ILO
ITU
ITRA
IV
IDA
IAHRC
ICJ
ISRAELI
IRS
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
IZPREL
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITF
IBET
IEFIN
INR
IACI
INTERNAL
IDP
IGAD
IEA
ICTR
IIP
INRA
INRO
IF
KJUS
KSCA
KNNP
KU
KCOR
KCRM
KDEM
KTFN
KHLS
KPAL
KWBG
KACT
KGHG
KPAO
KTIA
KIRF
KWMN
KS
KG
KZ
KN
KMDR
KISL
KSPR
KHIV
KPRP
KAWK
KR
KUNR
KDRG
KCIP
KGCC
KTIP
KSUM
KPKO
KVIR
KAWC
KPIN
KGIC
KRAD
KIPR
KOLY
KCFE
KMCA
KE
KV
KICC
KNPP
KBCT
KSEP
KFRD
KFLU
KVPR
KOCI
KBIO
KSTH
KMPI
KCRS
KOMC
KTBT
KPLS
KIRC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLO
KBTS
KSTC
KTDB
KFSC
KX
KFTFN
KNEI
KIDE
KREC
KMRS
KICA
KPAONZ
KCGC
KSAF
KRGY
KCMR
KRVC
KVRP
KSEO
KCOM
KAID
KTEX
KNUC
KNAR
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KLIG
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCRCM
KHDP
KGIT
KNSD
KOMS
KWMM
KPAI
KHSA
KTLA
KO
KMFO
KRCM
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KPWR
KID
KWNM
KRIM
KPOA
KCHG
KOM
KSCI
KFIN
KMOC
KESS
KWAC
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KTER
KDDG
KPAK
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KCFC
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KJUST
MARR
MOPS
MU
MTCRE
MNUC
MY
MASS
MCAP
MOPPS
MAR
MPOS
MO
ML
MR
MASC
MX
MD
MP
MA
MTRE
MIL
MCC
MZ
MK
MDC
MRCRE
MAPS
MV
MI
MEPN
MAPP
MEETINGS
MAS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTCR
MG
MC
MARAD
MIK
MILITARY
MEDIA
MEPI
MUCN
MEPP
MT
MERCOSUR
MW
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
NZ
NATO
NG
NI
NO
NATIONAL
NU
NPT
NIPP
NL
NPG
NS
NA
NGO
NP
NSG
NDP
NAFTA
NR
NC
NH
NE
NSF
NPA
NK
NSSP
NRR
NATOPREL
NSC
NT
NW
NORAD
NEW
NV
NSFO
NAR
NASA
NZUS
OTRA
OVIP
OPRC
OPDC
OSCE
OAS
ODIP
OIIP
OFDP
OVP
OREP
OFFICIALS
OSAC
OEXC
OPCW
OIE
OIC
OFDA
OSCI
OPIC
OBSP
OECD
ON
OCII
OHUM
OES
OCS
OMIG
OPAD
OTR
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PSOE
PINS
PARM
PK
PBTS
PEPR
PM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PREF
PBIO
PROP
PA
PSI
PINT
PO
PKFK
PL
PAK
PE
POLITICS
PINL
POL
PHSA
PU
PF
POV
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PARMS
PRGOV
PNAT
POLINT
PRAM
PMAR
PG
PAO
PROG
PRELP
PPA
PCUL
PSEPC
PSA
PREO
PAHO
PGIV
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POSTS
PTBS
PGOVLO
PORG
PGOVE
PLN
PINF
PAS
PUNE
POLICY
PDEM
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PHUMPGOV
PMIL
PNG
PP
PS
PHUH
PECON
POGOV
PY
PHUMPREL
PHUS
PRL
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PEL
RS
RU
RW
REGION
RP
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RUPREL
RM
RO
RCMP
RSO
RELATIONS
REACTION
REPORT
RIGHTS
ROOD
RF
RFE
RIGHTSPOLMIL
SP
SA
SY
SF
SYR
SENV
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SO
SU
SG
STEINBERG
SHUM
SW
SMIG
SR
SZ
SIPRS
SI
SAARC
SPCE
SARS
SN
SYRIA
SANC
SL
SCRS
SC
SENVKGHG
SAN
SNARCS
SHI
SWE
SNARIZ
SIPDIS
SEN
SNARN
SPCVIS
SEVN
SSA
SH
SOFA
SK
ST
TPHY
TU
TRGY
TI
TX
TS
TW
TC
TFIN
TD
TSPA
TH
TT
TIP
TBIO
TSPL
TZ
TERRORISM
TRSY
TN
THPY
TINT
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TP
TURKEY
TNGD
TBID
TAGS
TR
UP
US
UNSC
UK
UZ
UE
UNESCO
UV
UNGA
UN
UNMIK
UNO
UY
UAE
UNEP
UG
UNHCR
UNHRC
USUN
UNAUS
USTR
USNC
USOAS
UNCHR
UNCSD
UNDP
USEU
USPS
UNDC
UNDESCO
UNCHC
UNFICYP
UNC
UNODC
UNPUOS
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCHS
UNVIE
USAID
UNIDROIT
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09STATE35745, A/S SHANNON'S MEETINGS WITH ECUADORIAN OFFICIALS
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. #09STATE35745.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09STATE35745 | 2009-04-10 19:07 | 2011-04-07 07:07 | SECRET | Secretary of State |
Appears in these articles: http://www.eluniverso.com/2011/04/07/1/1355/cable-201915.html |
O R 101905Z APR 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY QUITO IMMEDIATE
INFO AMEMBASSY ASUNCION
AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
AMEMBASSY CARACAS
AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
AMEMBASSY LIMA
AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO
AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL
NSC WASHINGTON DC 0000
S E C R E T STATE 035745
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PINR SNAR EC
SUBJECT: A/S SHANNON'S MEETINGS WITH ECUADORIAN OFFICIALS
TO DISCUSS ECUADORIAN ACCUSATIONS OF U.S. INTERFERENCE
REF: A. QUITO 217
¶B. QUITO 160
C...
id: 201915
date: 4/10/2009 19:05
refid: 09STATE35745
origin: Secretary of State
classification: SECRET
destination: 09QUITO145|09QUITO153|09QUITO160|09QUITO217
header:
O R 101905Z APR 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY QUITO IMMEDIATE
INFO AMEMBASSY ASUNCION
AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
AMEMBASSY CARACAS
AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
AMEMBASSY LIMA
AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO
AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL
NSC WASHINGTON DC 0000
----------------- header ends ----------------
S E C R E T STATE 035745
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PINR SNAR EC
SUBJECT: A/S SHANNON'S MEETINGS WITH ECUADORIAN OFFICIALS
TO DISCUSS ECUADORIAN ACCUSATIONS OF U.S. INTERFERENCE
REF: A. QUITO 217
¶B. QUITO 160
¶C. QUITO 153
¶D. QUITO 145
Classified By: A/S SHANNON, REASONS 1.4 (B) and (D).
¶1. Summary. (S/NF) On April 1, A/S Shannon met Ecuadorian
Justice Minister Jalkh, Vice Foreign Minister Pozo, and other
GOE officials to discuss GOE accusations that an embassy
official had taken actions to destabilize the government of
Ecuador. Making clear the GOE's desire to work with the USG
on security matters, Jalkh alleged inappropriate contacts
between the Embassy officers and Ecuadorian "bad actors"
known to have a criminal history. A/S Shannon responded that
we would investigate the allegations, reaffirmed the U.S.
desire to work constructively with Ecuador, and stressed the
importance of working with Ambassador Hodges on this matter
going forward. At the conclusion of the meeting, Pozo handed
A/S Shannon a printed presentation that summarized the GOE's
allegations.
¶2. (S/NF) Summary (Continued). On April 3, A/S Shannon and
DAS McMullen had a follow up meeting with Minister Jalkh and
Ambassador Gallegos. A/S Shannon informed Minister Jalkh
that Embassy Quito had conducted a preliminary investigation
of the allegations made by the GOE. He said that the USG had
not found inappropriate behavior on the part of the embassy
offer. He added that the USG was concerned that a third
party might have been involved in this approach to the
embassy, and he requested a cooperative investigation between
the embassy and the GOE to get to the bottom of the matter.
He noted that the United States has no desire to destabilize
Ecuador and seeks cooperation. However, he cautioned that
any further expulsions of embassy staff would be very
problematic. Both Jalkh and A/S Shannon closed by stressing
the need to get beyond current difficulties and reestablish
broad cooperation. End Summary.
April 1 Meeting
---------------
¶3. (S/NF) A/S Shannon met with Ecuador's Minister of Justice,
Gustavo Jalkh; MFA Vice Minister, Lautaro Pozo; Permanent
Representative to the UN, Maria Espinosa; Permanent
Representative to the OAS, Efren Cocios; Chief of Staff of
for VM Pozo, Efrain Baus; and Ambassador to the United
States, Luis Gallegos, on April 1 to discuss GOE allegations
of an effort by an Embassy Quito officer to destabilize the
government of Ecuador. WHA/DAS, WHA/AND Officer Director,
INL/LP Office Director, and the Ecuador Desk Officer also
participated. Jalkh opened by noting that he had only been
in his current position for six weeks. He reviewed the tough
work involved in reforming Ecuador's national police, and
noted that security on the northern border of Ecuador is a
key priority. He stressed that social development in Ecuador
is crucial to the task of protecting both human rights and
security.
¶4. (S/NF) Jalkh next stated that the GOE had found some
issues that needed to be addressed to strengthen the
bilateral relationship with the United States: "Cooperation
is our goal; we wish to work together on all fronts through
time, government to government." Referring to the recent
expulsions of two U.S. officials (reftels), Jalkh asserted
that the GOE could not have responded any other way. He
added that the GOE hoped that such difficulties would not
happen again and that the GOE needs improved communication
with the United States.
¶5. (S/NF) Jalkh moved on to the specific point of the
meeting. According to Jalkh, the GOE had evidence of an
inappropriate meeting at Embassy Quito between an Embassy
officer and "bad actors" in Ecuador. Jalkh further asserted
that the emboff offered benefits to these individuals in
exchange for speaking ill of the GOE regarding narcotics
matters. Jalkh underlined that his goal was to address this
matter so broader cooperation could take place. He said, "We
need to talk of this. We want to work with you on this. We
believe in human rights and democratic controls. This is a
new type of government." He added that the GOE had massive
problems on its northern border and would like to cooperate
with the United States on the refugee problem. He also said
that Ecuador does not get the recognition it deserves for its
efforts on its northern border. Summing up, Jalkh said, "We
want to turn the page to our mutual concerns, but we have to
get over this issue (of alleged Embassy meddling)."
¶6. (S/NF) VM Pozo next spoke. According to Pozo, "We know
this is not the policy of the United States. This is a clear
conspiracy to destabilize the government of Ecuador. There
were phone calls to set up the meeting. This involves a well
known criminal. It is very upsetting." Pozo said the GOE
did not meet with the embassy regarding this matter,
ostensibly in an effort to reduce tensions. Commenting on
the GOE's recent expulsions of Embassy officials from
Ecuador, Pozo said: "We know this (the allegedly nefarious
actions of the expelled emboffs) is not the policy of the
Department of State. These were personal actions by these
individuals." He said the GOE wants this matter
investigated. Pozo said that President Correa told Pozo and
Jalkh to travel to the United States to raise these issues
and claimed that the GOE had a real desire to cooperate with
the United States.
¶7. (S/NF) A/S Shannon responded by thanking the GOE officials
for the information they had provided. He said the USG would
investigate the situation, and told the officials that the
United States had no interest in interfering in domestic
matters, and was particularly sensitive to such concerns
during an election campaign. Shannon noted the efforts of
the Correa administration to reconfigure the government and
create the possibility of stability. He added that a stable
Ecuador with political and economic development is
important--especially in an integrating and globalizing
world: "We share an interest in improving dialogue,
identifying common interests, and working together." He
noted that problems in bilateral relations between Ecuador
and the United States would cause damage in the region.
Pointing out that both countries are in a political
transition, A/S Shannon said that the Obama administration is
seeking to "reimagine relations in the hemisphere."
¶8. (S/NF) Jalkh agreed, emphasizing the need to work on
common interests. He said the GOE was serious about
democratic controls; about the fight against illicit
narcotics; and about creating a new ethos and legal framework
for the police. Jalkh highlighted GOE plans to increase its
police presence on the northern border. He said the GOE
would measure its effectiveness along the northern border,
"not by resources added, but if we take down gangs." Pozo
echoed Jalkh's comments. He said that Ecuador had a
significant state presence on the northern border, with
11,000 troops (or one quarter of all Ecuadorian troops). He
added that the GOE is worried about demobilized Colombians
creating additional problems and said, "We are victims."
Ambassador Espinosa briefly mentioned that Ecuador had an
exemplary record with respect to refugees.
¶9. (S/NF) A/S Shannon replied that the United States
understands the problems Ecuador faces along its northern
border, including the situation regarding refugees and the
need for investment. He pointed out that there are more
Colombian refugees in the region than there are refugees in
Darfur and that the lack of awareness in the hemisphere
regarding the problem was the fault of the inter-American
system, which has failed to capture and articulate the needs
of refugees in the region.
¶10. (S/NF) Moving back to the bilateral relationship, A/S
Shannon asserted the need to reconfigure our diplomatic
relations, and emphasized the confidence and respect the
State Department and the White House had for Ambassador
Hodges. He also emphasized that occasional points of
disagreement between the United States and Ecuador did not
represent the totality of relations between the two
countries. Ambassador Gallegos responded to this final point
by stating that "we need to denarcoticize relations" and
focus on other items, such as economic, social, security, and
development matters. He commented that the bilateral
dialogue presented a chance to expand relations and that new
items should be added to the dialogue's agenda. Gallegos
noted that relations between the United States and Ecuador
needed to be transparent and respectful.
¶11. (S/NF) At different moments during the discussion, both
Jalkh and Pozo raised the matter of vetted units in Ecuador
(reftels). Jalkh stressed that the GOE had three main
requirements for future cooperation: first, any agreements
must be in writing; second, all agreements must be
coordinated through the GOE's MFA; and third, the vetting
process must be collaborative. He said that the GOE
recognized that cooperating on intelligence matters was
different, and that the GOE would try to accommodate the USG
on this. He also mentioned, "It is not good to have only one
good unit" to combat narcotics trafficking in Ecuador. Pozo
stressed that vetted units must be under the control of the
civilian authority.
¶12. (S/NF) As the meeting ended, Minister Pozo handed A/S
Shannon two documents providing details of illegal armed
groups along Ecuador's northern border and the GOE's military
position along the northern border. He also provided a
printed PowerPoint presentation that outlined the GOE's
specific assertions regarding the March 24 meeting of the
Ecuadorian "bad actors" and embassy officers.
April 3 Follow Up Meeting
--------------------------
¶13. (S/NF) A/S Shannon and WHA DAS McMullen met with Minister
Jalkh and Ambassador Gallegos on April 3 for a follow up
discussion. A/S Shannon told Jalkh that Embassy Quito had
completed a preliminary inquiry into the March 24 meeting,
when the allegedly "inappropriate meeting" took place. He
said that what the Embassy had discovered caused us concern,
though our concerns were different from those expressed by
the GOE at the April 1 meeting. A/S Shannon said that the
USG was concerned that a third party might have been involved
in this approach to the Embassy. He said the USG considered
it important for the GOE to work cooperatively with our
embassy to investigate what happened; he asked the GOE to
share any additional information -- such as tapes of
telephone conversations between Munoz and Rodas following the
meeting at the embassy. He emphasized to Jalkh that the
embassy official had done nothing inappropriate by simply
meeting with Ecuadorians who had claimed to have information
on the FARC.
¶14. (S/NF) A/S Shannon reiterated that the USG had no reason
to try to destabilize the Correa government. He said that,
given Ecuador's recent turbulent history, the USG was hoping
that Correa would bring stability, democracy and development
to Ecuador. He added that the United States would like to
get past this incident as soon as possible and reestablish
close cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
¶15. (S/NF) Minister Jalkh responded that the GOE appreciated
the quick response and committed the GOE to working with
Embassy Quito to follow up. He pledged to set up a meeting
with Ambassador Hodges on April 6 to discuss next steps.
Jalkh added that the GOE also wanted to turn the page and
move on -- and collaborate closely on a broad set of issues,
not just security. He said the GOE appreciated the U.S.
decision not to retaliate for Ecuador's expulsion of two
Embassy officers. While the GOE believed that those Embassy
officers had acted inappropriately, he acknowledged that the
USG had the sovereign right to retaliate, but had chosen not
to do so. In an implied reference to the Summit of the
Americas, Jalkh mentioned that it would be helpful if both
countries' leaders could meet and get to know one another.
¶16. (S/NF) A/S Shannon again stated that the United States
wanted to find points of convergence with Ecuador and was not
seeking confrontation. He warned, however, that any further
expulsions by the GOE would be very problematic. He closed
by stressing the importance of both countries moving beyond
this rough patch in relations; he hoped that the April 6
meeting with Ambassador Hodges and her team would be a first
step in that direction.
CLINTON
=======================CABLE ENDS============================