US embassy cable - 05QUITO282

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000282 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, EC 
SUBJECT: GUTIERREZ (AGAIN) RECONSIDERING AMBASSADORIAL 
CANDIDATE 
 
REF: A. QUITO 42 
 
     B. QUITO 263 
     C. 04 QUITO 3302 
     D. 04 QUITO 3151 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, Reasons 1.4 (b) 
 
1.  (C) Despite Lucio Gutierrez informing a nationwide TV 
audience January 3 that MFA diplomat Roberto Betancourt was 
his choice to head Ecuador's embassy in Washington (Ref A), 
the Ecuadorian president is now having second (actually, 
third) thoughts.  At their February 3 meeting, Gutierrez told 
the Ambassador he understood Betancourt was not the Embassy's 
favorite for the U.S. mission.  Anyway, the career dip was 
needed in Europe, where his foreign trade expertise could 
help resolve a difficult dispute over the EU's banana tariff 
policy (Ref B).  Gutierrez thus had re-opened the nomination 
process and sought the Ambassador's input. 
 
2.  (C) She offered the president no names, noting the 
decision was his to make.  If it were hers, however, the 
Ambassador would seek someone comfortable with Congressional 
caucuses, fluent in English, and connected in his home 
country.  Gutierrez floated two possibles:  former Finance 
Minister Mauricio Pozo and current Subsecretary of Production 
Patricio Johnson, the brother of MFA Vice Foreign Minister 
Edwin Johnson.  Although Pozo was under consideration for a 
position at the CAF, an Andean IFI, beginning in mid-2006, he 
reportedly was interested in serving in Washington. 
 
3.  (C) The Ambassador praised Pozo's credentials and 
top-notch DC reputation.  Even a short-term spell in 
Washington would benefit bilateral relations.  She was 
pointedly silent on Johnson, whom we consider a lackluster 
Cabinet member.  The Ambassador asked the president to keep 
the Embassy informed as he deliberated the selection. 
 
4.  (C) COMMENT:  Waffling over nominations ain't the 
Gutierrez way.  Forty-plus individuals have filled Ecuador's 
15 cabinet positions since the president took office, 
testament to his "choose first, consider later" modus 
operandi.  Betancourt, Foreign Minister Patricio Zuquilanda's 
boy, was a lock for Washington one month ago yet now appears 
out.  Three explanations for the flip-flop come easily to 
mind.  First, as bananas are a major Ecuadorian export and 
most growers hail from the politically potent coastal region, 
it makes sense for Gutierrez to deploy an experienced trade 
negotiator to Europe for EU talks.  Next, the president might 
consider the U.S. relationship so vital that it behooves 
Ecuador to appoint an ambassador well-liked and respected in 
Washington.  Last (and most intriguing), the Teflon that has 
coated FM Zuquilanda for eighteen months might be wearing 
thin.  A series of MFA miscues has brought Gutierrez recent 
grief, with media and opposition questioning the president's 
continued loyalty to his embattled chancellor.  Betancourt's 
punting just might be proof that Zuquilanda has lost the 
boss's ear. 
Kenney