

Currently released so far... 12648 / 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
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 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
AORC
AF
AU
ASEC
AMGT
AS
APER
AR
AG
ARF
AJ
AA
AINF
APECO
AODE
ABLD
AMG
ATPDEA
AE
AEMR
AMED
AGAO
AFIN
AL
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AID
ASCH
AM
AORL
ASEAN
APEC
ADM
AFSI
AFSN
ADCO
ABUD
AN
AY
AIT
AGR
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AMCHAMS
AGMT
AADP
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
ACS
APCS
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AFU
BR
BTIO
BY
BO
BA
BU
BL
BN
BM
BF
BEXP
BK
BG
BB
BTIU
BBSR
BRUSSELS
BD
BIDEN
BE
BH
BILAT
BC
BX
BT
BP
BMGT
BWC
CS
CA
CH
CD
CO
CE
CU
CVIS
CASC
CJAN
CI
CPAS
CMGT
CDG
CIC
CAC
CBW
CWC
COUNTER
CW
CT
CY
CNARC
CACM
CG
CB
CM
CV
CIDA
CLINTON
CHR
COE
CR
CIS
CDC
CONS
CF
CODEL
COPUOS
CIA
CFED
CARSON
CL
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CACS
CN
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CARICOM
CSW
CITT
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
EAID
ECON
EFIS
ETRD
EC
ENRG
EINV
EFIN
EAGR
ETTC
ECPS
EINT
ES
EIND
EAIR
EU
EUN
EG
EPET
ELAB
EWWT
EMIN
ECIN
ESA
ER
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EAIG
ET
ETRO
ELTN
EI
EN
EUR
EK
EUMEM
EPA
ENGR
EXTERNAL
EUREM
ELN
EUC
ENERG
ENIV
EZ
ERD
EFTA
ETRC
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ESENV
ENNP
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
EFINECONCS
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXIM
ERNG
ECA
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
IC
IV
IAEA
IR
IO
IT
IN
IS
IZ
IMO
IPR
IWC
ICAO
ILO
ID
ICTY
ICJ
INMARSAT
INDO
IL
IMF
IRS
IQ
IA
ICRC
IDA
IAHRC
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
IDP
ICTR
IEFIN
IRC
ITRA
ITALY
INRB
INTELSAT
IBET
IRAQI
ISRAELI
IIP
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
KBTR
KPAO
KOMC
KCRM
KDEM
KHIV
KBIO
KTIA
KMDR
KNNP
KSCA
KTIP
KWMN
KIPR
KCOR
KRVC
KFRD
KPAL
KWBG
KE
KTDB
KUNR
KSPR
KJUS
KGHG
KAWC
KCFE
KGCC
KOLY
KSUM
KACT
KISL
KTFN
KFLU
KSTH
KMPI
KHDP
KS
KHLS
KMRS
KID
KN
KU
KAWK
KSAC
KCOM
KAID
KIRC
KWMNCS
KMCA
KNEI
KCRS
KPKO
KICC
KPOA
KV
KDRG
KIRF
KSEO
KVPR
KSEP
KTER
KBCT
KFIN
KGIC
KCIP
KZ
KG
KWAC
KRAD
KPRP
KTEX
KNAR
KPLS
KPAK
KSTC
KFLO
KSCI
KIDE
KOMS
KHSA
KSAF
KPWR
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KRIM
KVRP
KENV
KNSD
KCGC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KWMM
KMFO
KMOC
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KPAI
KO
KVIR
KREC
KX
KR
KCRCM
KBTS
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KMIG
KRGY
KIFR
MARR
MOPS
MASS
MX
MNUC
MCAP
MO
MR
MEPP
MTCRE
MAPP
MEPN
MZ
MT
ML
MA
MY
MIL
MD
MASSMNUC
MU
MK
MTCR
MUCN
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MC
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTRE
MASC
MG
MARAD
MRCRE
MW
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
NATO
NZ
NL
NO
NK
NU
NPT
NI
NG
NEW
NSF
NA
NPG
NSG
NE
NSSP
NS
NDP
NSC
NAFTA
NH
NV
NP
NPA
NSFO
NT
NW
NASA
NORAD
NATIONAL
NGO
NR
NIPP
NZUS
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
OEXC
OTRA
OPRC
OVIP
OAS
OIIP
OSCE
OREP
OPIC
OFDP
OMIG
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OIC
OECD
OIE
OPDC
ON
OCII
OPAD
OBSP
OFFICIALS
OPCW
OHUM
OES
OCS
OTR
OSAC
OFDA
PGOV
PREL
PM
PHUM
PTER
PINR
PINS
PREF
PARM
PL
PK
PU
PBTS
PBIO
PHSA
PE
PO
PROP
PA
PNAT
POL
PLN
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PCUL
PAK
PGGV
PAO
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PAS
PGIV
PHUMPREL
PCI
PG
POGOV
PHUMPGOV
PEL
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
PP
PREO
PAHO
PBT
PMIL
POV
PRL
PDOV
PTBS
PRAM
PREFA
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PALESTINIAN
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PINF
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PGOC
PY
PHUH
PF
PHUS
RU
RS
RO
RW
RP
RFE
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
ROOD
RCMP
RM
RSO
ROBERT
RICE
RSP
RF
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SL
SW
SMIG
SP
SY
SA
SHUM
SZ
SYRIA
SF
SR
SO
SARS
SN
SC
SIPRS
SI
SYR
SEVN
SG
SPCE
SK
STEINBERG
SH
SNARCS
SAARC
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SEN
SANC
SWE
SHI
TW
TU
TBIO
TSPL
TPHY
TRGY
TC
TT
TSPA
TINT
TERRORISM
TX
TR
TS
TN
TD
TH
TIP
TNGD
TI
TZ
THPY
TP
TBID
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
UN
UK
UNSC
UNGA
US
UNESCO
UP
UNHRC
UNAUS
USTR
UNDP
UNEP
UY
UNCHR
UG
UZ
UNPUOS
USEU
UNMIK
UNDC
UNICEF
UV
UNHCR
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
USUN
USNC
UNIDROIT
UNO
UNCND
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 05QUITO2416, TRANSFORMING ECUADOR: ACTION PLAN FOR DEMOCRACY
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. #05QUITO2416.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
05QUITO2416 | 2005-10-24 21:48 | 2011-05-02 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Quito |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 QUITO 002416
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR WHA/AND
DEPT PASS USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV ECON EAID EC
SUBJECT: TRANSFORMING ECUADOR: ACTION PLAN FOR DEMOCRACY
AND STABILITY
REF: QUITO 2235
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.
-------
Summary
-------
¶1. (SBU) Ecuador is one of the most unstable, undemocratic,
and corrupt countries in Latin America. Its political and
economic systems, based on competition by entrenched elites
for lucrative state-provided economic privileges, threaten
U.S. interests directly where they impinge on U.S.
anti-narcotics programs, cheat U.S. investors, and drive
Ecuadorians to emigrate to the U.S. Perhaps more
importantly, Ecuador seems to totter constantly on the verge
of becoming a failed state -- and we cannot afford a failed
state on the southern border of Colombia.
¶2. (SBU) Over the past several months the Embassy has
reviewed in depth the fundamental problems of Ecuador in
order to develop a strategy for advancing U.S. interests on
this difficult terrain. We believe that a new approach,
targeting our long-term interests in democracy, economic
growth, and the resultant stability, and based on a clear
understanding of Ecuador's fundamental problems is required.
The plan that we outline below focuses on building momentum
for change by developing leadership, changing attitudes,
improving education, improving incentives and attacking
corruption. It also directly focuses on the judiciary and
military, two sectors of particular concern for Ecuadorian
democracy and stability.
End Summary.
--------
Overview
--------
¶3. (SBU) In the aftermath of the fall of the Gutierrez
government on April 20, 2005, the Embassy established several
working groups to review U.S. policy toward and assistance to
Ecuador, identifying challenges and opportunities in the
short, medium and long terms. After several months of
discussions involving all agencies at post, we have
identified a series of impediments to desirable political and
economic change in Ecuador and outlined U.S. Mission actions
to address them. Initial short-term ideas were reported
reftel in response to Department's request. This action plan
does not attempt to cover the full spectrum of issues
included in the MPP. Rather, it focuses on the fundamental
problems that have made it impossible for Ecuador to break
out of its self-destructive downward spiral of political and
economic instability.
¶4. (SBU) The Mission identified the following core issues:
-- Leadership: A lack of emerging leaders and networks
prepared to challenge the entrenched elites who currently
hold power.
-- Attitudes: Attitudinal resistance to democratic and
economic change at both elite and popular levels, based in
part on their failure to understand democracy and market
economics.
-- Education: Weak educational institutions at both basic
and upper levels, and little push for change from either
elite or popular sectors.
-- Incentives: Inadequate incentives to challenge existing
power and push for political, social or economic change.
-- Corruption: Endemic corruption throughout the public and
private sectors at all levels.
-- Military: A military that remains too willing to
involve itself in politics and business.
-- Judiciary: Judicial institutions that are not
independent, transparent or efficient.
¶5. (SBU) Regional and class divisions stymie efforts for
reform. Inequalities permeate society, business, and the
political life of the country. Those at the top of the
pyramid do not necessarily accept, as possible or even
desirable, the premise that "a rising tide lifts all boats."
Meanwhile, regional rivalries -- especially between Quito in
the highlands and Guayaquil on the coast -- are so deeply
divisive that they seriously impede any initiatives of
national scope and vision.
¶6. (SBU) It is also impossible to list Ecuador,s fundamental
problems without reference to the challenges it faces as a
result of its location between major producers of narcotics
and terrorism. Huge quantities of illegal narcotics pass
through Ecuador from its neighbors, especially Colombia, and
the return flow of dollars through Ecuador is also
substantial. Colombian terrorists use Ecuadorian territory
frequently for rest and recuperation, and as a supply route
for weapons and other materiel. Although narcotraffickers
have not yet targeted Ecuador for production of drugs, and
terrorists seem content to use Ecuador as a staging area and
not a target, either of those situations could change without
notice. Further, it is clear that both Fidel Castro and Hugo
Chavez view Ecuador as potentially fertile terrain for
revolutionary ferment, and are making investments to that
end. While thus far they have not made significant progress,
that too could change.
¶7. (SBU) Analysis of these problems lays bare the reasons why
Ecuador has had seven presidents in the past nine years. The
Ecuadorian political system sets the president up for a fall.
Elected popularly, the president is opposed by a congress
elected from party lists controlled, in the main, by
entrenched elites who have a stake in maintaining the status
quo; a corrupt system that enriches them. Ecuadorians have
elected several presidents who ran against the oligarchy,
most recently Lucio Gutierrez. However, the entrenched
elites have worked assiduously to remove them. President
Alfredo Palacio's continued insistence on political reform is
damaging prospects for completion of this term, and the
president who next assumes office will be similarly
challenged to serve out his term.
¶8. (SBU) Clearly, profound changes in the political,
economic, and social systems of Ecuador is necessary for the
country to become a stable democracy with a healthy economy.
The changes must come from Ecuadorians themselves, and it may
take decades and several generations to accomplish the goal.
The actions needed to trigger and sustain that process must
be taken in the short and medium term, even if many of the
results may be measurable only in the long term. With this
in mind, we propose the following initial action plan to
address some of these root causes of instability. Continued
engagement will yield new ideas and initiatives that can be
added to this plan, which should therefore be considered a
living document.
---------------------------------------------
Developing Leadership and Networks for Change
---------------------------------------------
¶9. (SBU) Objective: Bring together Ecuadorians committed to
change, motivate and activate them. Develop leaders for the
future.
¶10. (SBU) Context: Cutting across all elements of this
action plan is the need for a network of Ecuadorians
committed to change, who agree on the problems to be
addressed and a general approach for solutions. We have
already begun building this network, discussing fundamental
problems with close embassy contacts and likely allies. We
have found a tremendous validation of our conclusions and an
enthusiasm to work together. Some of our contacts have taken
matters into their own hands since our first discussion.
Three of them have joined together and are broadcasting a new
radio show dedicated to changing attitudes. Another group
has proposed the establishment of a think-tank to commission
studies and use them to change the public discourse on
numerous issues. Still, years of successive failure to build
a consensus for reform has bred a great deal of pessimism and
fatalism among Ecuadorians. Our steady encouragement, plus
our power of convocation, can make a difference.
¶11. (SBU) Actions:
------------------
-- Develop new networks and strengthen existing networks of
individuals and organizations that share our goals.
Establish or assist in the establishment of new alumni
associations including alumni of U.S. exchange programs and
of U.S. universities to promote sharing of experiences and
build support for reforms.
-- Assist private groups looking to establish a think-tank
geared to increasing scholarship and policy promotion on an
agenda focused on democracy, stability, and economic
liberalization.
-- Establish one or more awards programs administered by
Ecuadorian allies to recognize leadership in public and
private sectors.
------------------
Changing Attitudes
------------------
¶12. (SBU) Objective: Help change Ecuadorian attitudes,
improving perceptions of democracy, of economic
liberalization, of responsible foreign policy and of the U.S.
¶13. (SBU) Context: Ecuador is plagued by a series of
self-defeating attitudes that present a serious barrier to
the consolidation of democracy, to responsible economic
policy and political stability. The first is a paternalism
that dates back to the pre-Colombian period, was sharply
reinforced by the colonial experience, and has continued in
the modern era with statist policies at all levels. There is
a general consensus among Ecuadorians that the patron, now
the state, must provide. Ecuadorians also embrace a
chauvinistic nationalism in which any idea or act can be
shown to be traitorous if it cedes sovereignty in any sense.
These factors make the terrain ripe for populist appeals,
leftist rhetoric and classic anti-American dogma.
¶14. (SBU) The Ecuadorian public is highly skeptical of USG
motives. Campaigns focused on bringing outside experts to
Ecuador on various policy issues, economic, political and
foreign, to help change Ecuadorian attitudes, can be used
both to improve Ecuadorian perceptions of the U.S. and to
change attitudes toward needed substantive reforms. We need
to show that the USG is interested in Ecuador's social,
economic, and political development and we must be more
visible in taking public credit for the many things we do for
the people of Ecuador.
¶15. (SBU) Actions:
------------------
-- Establish a public outreach working group to expand
outreach activities to more effectively explain USG
interests/goals to Ecuadorians. Identify sectors, regions,
institutions relevant to US policy interests that we are not
engaging consistently. Monitor the advance and success of
the plan.
-- Bring in U.S. and foreign experts and communicators to
expand debate on priority issues including democracy,
education reform, pension reform, health care systems,
petroleum sector reforms, electric sector reforms,
telecommunications. Identify other countries within Latin
America that can serve as examples for different reforms.
-- Support studies geared to generating understanding of the
price Ecuador pays for its lack of reform. For example, a
study comparing the telecommunications sector of a country
that has privatized/liberalized the sector, with the sector
in Ecuador. The purpose would be the generation of
unassailable sound bites for Ecuadorians to use in promoting
reform.
-- Repackage how we present ourselves to the Ecuadorian
public. Find new outlets to communicate what we do for
individual Ecuadorians, be it through AID programs, U.S.
military humanitarian assistance, Embassy family volunteer
efforts, or US company community outreach.
----------------
Education Reform
----------------
¶16. (SBU) Objective: To raise the quality of education,
create a base of Ecuadorian human capital that is more
economically competitive and better prepared to participate
in a democracy as responsible, engaged citizens.
¶17. (SBU) Context: Ecuadorian access to education is on par
with similarly sized countries of comparable development, but
Ecuador lags badly with respect to the quality of the
education. Leftist dogma pervades curricula from basic
education up through the universities. Cubans and
Venezuelans are increasing their presence in education here;
exceptional children from the lower classes are more likely
to find higher education abroad in Cuba than in the U.S.
There is little incentive for elites to promote educational
improvement, since their children attend private schools and
private or foreign universities.
¶18. (SBU) Actions:
------------------
-- Establish a mission education working group. Assess USG
ability to expand its work directly in basic education or to
support the efforts of international foundations or the
multilateral banks. Identify success stories from other
Latin American countries that could serve as models. Review
programs of both official and private binational educational
exchange and possibilities for expansion.
-- Bring in experts from other Latin American countries to
promote debate of education reform.
-- Explore ways that we might expand number of private high
school youth exchange programs. Encourage binational
university-to-university links.
-- Expand and more sharply target programs for promotion of
U.S. higher education among Ecuadorian students, e.g. through
more scholarships.
-- Explore opportunities to expand English-language programs
as a vehicle to improve youth understanding of U.S.
democracy, market economics and to improve teacher quality.
----------------------------
Incentives: Rewarding Reform
----------------------------
¶19. (SBU) Objective: Develop examples of Ecuadorian
localities where comprehensive reform and development
programs are working.
¶20. (SBU) Context: Repeated failure at the central
government level to improve people's lives has left
Ecuadorians pessimistic about change and suspicious of
reforms that have been promised but never delivered.
¶21. (SBU) There remains, however, a positive attitude about
the ability of local government to deliver. By highlighting
the many positive examples of successful reform at the local
level, we can help expand the safe political space for those
who pursue change, while constraining the power of those who
actively sabotage those efforts.
¶22. (SBU) Actions:
------------------
-- Develop a project, mirroring the concept of the
Millennium Challenge Account, in which mid- to-small-sized
localities would compete for a program of development on the
basis of their reform-oriented policies.
--------------------
Attacking Corruption
--------------------
¶23. (SBU) Objective: Reduce corruption.
¶24. (SBU) Context: The Ecuadorian political and economic
systems are based on the distribution of wealth, generally
via corrupt channels, rather than the creation of wealth.
Ecuador's deficit of sound, credible and well-functioning
institutions cannot be overcome unless corruption becomes the
exception rather than the norm. Ecuador fell another five
places to number 117 in Transparency International's 2005
Corruption Perceptions Index.
¶25. (SBU) Actions:
------------------
-- Establish Embassy Anti-Corruption Working Group.
-- Collect information for submission to Department in
support of 212F visa ineligibility for corrupt Ecuadorians.
-- Work with State Department and Department of Justice to
energize investigations of corrupt Ecuadorians in the U.S.
-- Develop proposals to promote reforms to decrease
discretion and increase the public's wariness and intolerance
toward corruption.
-- Support effective implementation of the new money
laundering legislation that provides, for the first time,
tools to attack this problem.
-- Support development, passage and implementation of a
competition law providing the GOE with anti-trust powers.
-- Develop citizen oversight proposals for local government
finances.
---------------------------------
Promoting a Professional Military
---------------------------------
¶26. (SBU) Objective: An Ecuadorian military with a better
understanding of the appropriate role of the military in
democracy.
¶27. (SBU) Context: Although none of the changes in
government over the past 25 years can be classified as a
military coup, the Ecuadorian military has played an
important role in bringing down all of the past decade's
three democratically elected presidents. The military must
understand that its role does not allow the "withdrawal of
support" from a sitting elected president, allowing his fall.
The military must also be removed from competition with
private enterprise, refocusing it on its legitimate role and
ending its involvement in numerous commercial enterprises
which either compete with or crowd out the development of the
private sector.
¶28. (SBU) Actions:
------------------
-- Promote military respect for civilian government to
prevent an irregular change of government.
-- Assist the Ministry of Defense in getting the "Ley
Organica de las Fuerzas Armadas," approved so that military
members will not serve in other government institutions (such
as customs).
-- Assist the military to continue providing an operational
presence on the northern frontier, its appropriate priority.
-- Support efforts to have the military and national police
cooperate and collaborate on narcotics trafficking, arms
smuggling, illegal migration, and anti-trafficking.
-- Assist the Ministry of Defense in getting the "Ley
Organica de Administracion y Control de los Espacios
Acuaticos," approved so the Navy may better control the
illicit movement of drugs, arms, and persons.
-- Assist in removing the military from commercial
enterprises.
--------------------------------------------- ---
Promoting an Effective and Independent Judiciary
--------------------------------------------- ---
¶29. (SBU) Objective: Independent, transparent, objective,
and competent Supreme and Constitutional Courts that preside
over a modern judicial system respected by the population for
its efficient and just operation.
¶30. (SBU) Context: Ecuador's judicial system is infamous for
its corruption and its subservience to political interests.
The key Constitutional and Supreme Courts were closed and
justices removed as a result of political party attempts to
re-stack the courts in late 2004 and early 2005. The
position of Attorney General (Fiscal General) has been filled
by an interim appointee for three years as has the Controller
General position, as the political parties attempt to place
their own people in these powerful positions. An
internationally monitored effort to choose new justices for
the Supreme Courts is now underway, but is complicated by the
fact that the process being used is technically
unconstitutional. Ecuador is halfway through a difficult
transition toward an oral accusatory system of justice,
supported in part by USAID and NAS.
¶31. (SBU) Actions:
------------------
-- Support local oversight of the selection of Supreme Court
magistrates and Constitutional Tribunal judges, appointment
of attorney general and comptroller general.
-- Provide training and assistance to new justices in taking
up their positions. Perhaps fund travel to the U.S. both for
training purposes and to help build their credibility.
-- Provide training and assistance to lower levels of the
judicial system that appear clean.
-- Increase outreach programs to law schools, to help build a
more professional and ethical new class of lawyers who can
function in the recently implemented oral advocacy system.
-- Develop programs for citizen oversight of judicial
activities.
-- Target corrupt judges and lawyers for 212f visa
ineligibility.
-- Promote more equal access to justice through support for
local services for vulnerable groups. Encourage and support
oversight mechanisms for local level judicial performance and
a National Public Defense System.
JEWELL