US embassy cable - 05QUITO60

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000060 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, EC 
SUBJECT: GOE NOTES USG CONCERN OVER SUPREME COURT CHANGES; 
PRESIDENT GUTIERREZ TO VISIT NEW YORK JANUARY 18-19 
 
REF: A. 03 QUITO 3217 
 
     B. 03 QUITO 3248 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, Reason 1.4 (b) 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  MFA U/S for Multilateral Affairs and the 
GOE's designate for Ambassador to the U.S., Roberto 
Betancourt, invited the DCM to his office on January 10 to 
inquire about recent statements by the Embassy spokesman. 
The DCM stood by the statements as an accurate reflection of 
USG concern that the Ecuadorian Congress' recent replacement 
of the Supreme Court and other judicial institutions did not 
strengthen democratic institutions.  Betancourt also provided 
information on President Gutierrez' planned visit to New York 
later this month.  End Summary. 
 
GOE Concerned about USG Concern 
------------------------------- 
 
2.  (C) Betancourt said he had been asked by FM Zuquilanda to 
inquire about recent statements by the Embassy spokesman of 
concern over recent moves by the majority in Congress to 
replace the Supreme Court and other judicial institutions. 
Betancourt cautioned that the media would use such statements 
for political ends. 
 
3.  (C) The spokesman's comments were in response to press 
inquires to local publication of Michael Shifter's opinion 
piece originally published in the Los Angeles Times, alleging 
that the USG was indifferent to the weakening of democratic 
institutions here.  The spokesman responded to press 
inquiries here saying the USG is not indifferent, noting that 
the Ambassador had, publicly and subsequently privately with 
President Gutierrez, expressed USG support for independent 
democratic institutions, and our concern about the Congress' 
actions.  The statements ran in local media January 8-10. 
 
4.  (C) The DCM noted that the Embassy spokesman's statements 
simply reiterated the USG position of concern and support for 
democratic institutions.  They reflect long-standing USG 
support for Ecuadorian democracy, and repeat what the 
Ambassador expressed on several previous occasions in 
December, both publicly and in private to President Gutierrez 
(RefTels).  This concern has been echoed in U.S. the media 
and civil society.  The Inter-American Dialogue would meet to 
discuss Ecuadorian democracy later this week.  The DCM noted 
that we are encouraged by President Gutierrez' stated 
intention of strengthening the independence of the judiciary. 
 
 
Gutierrez to New York 
--------------------- 
 
5.  (C) Betancourt said President Gutierrez, accompanied by 
Finance Minister Mauricio Yepez and Ecuador's 
Ambassador-designate to the UN, would depart Ecuador for New 
York on January 15, to attend meetings on January 18-19, and 
return to Ecuador on the 20th.  The agenda for the visit is 
being finalized, but will likely include talks with financial 
institutions on debt swaps, a meeting with the Ecuadorian 
community representatives, an event at the Council of the 
Americas, and perhaps a call at the UN.  President Gutierrez 
is not seeking to visit Washington.  The DCM suggested that 
Gutierrez be well prepared to address the Supreme Court issue 
at any public events. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
6.  (C) Betancourt, who currently awaits USG agrement as 
Ambassador-designate to the U.S., made his inquiries gently, 
clearly under orders to signal GOE concern.  Thus far the GOE 
has not reacted publicly and seems unlikely to do so.  We are 
comfortable that our message of concern for democratic 
institutions, coupled with deference to Ecuadorians as 
arbiters of their own constitution, is entirely appropriate 
and eminently defensible. 
 
7.  (C) We had counseled against a presidential trip to the 
U.S. at this time, and partially succeeded in turning off a 
visit to Washington.  Gutierrez apparently hopes to highlight 
his administration's economic successes on this visit and 
perhaps to escape political pressures building at home. 
KENNEY