US embassy cable - 05QUITO652

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000652 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO WHA/CCA, DRL/MLA, AND IO/SHA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, CU, EC, CHR-1 
SUBJECT: EMBASSY LOBBYING HARD FOR CUBA RESOLUTION 
 
REF: A. QUITO 625 
 
     B. SECSTATE 44494 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney for Reason 1.4 (B) 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  We understand the critical need for Ecuador 
to support the UNHRC resolution on Cuba and the impact every 
country has on the outcome.  Historically Ecuador has 
abstained on the issue of Cuba.  The GOE is politically 
unstable and considers Cuba a sensitive issue.  Given the 
situation in Ecuador, it will be quite difficult to convince 
the GOE to vote in favor of the resolution.  Nevertheless, we 
have a comprehensive strategy to lobby high-level GOE 
officials, and the Ambassador and DCM are actively working 
their contacts.  After we finish discussions in Quito, likely 
we will recommend Washington officials make a few calls to 
reinforce our efforts.  (See paragraph 5.)  End Summary. 
 
Ecuador Historically Cautious on Cuba 
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2.  (C) The GOE is very cautious on the issue of Cuba and has 
an historic policy of abstention on Cuba-related 
international organization resolutions.  Cuba is a 
politically sensitive issue for Ecuador's weak government, 
and most GOE decisions of late are driven by a desire to 
maintain political stability.  Ecuador has only voted in 
favor of the UNHRC resolution on Cuba once, in 1999, and does 
not have a good track record of stepping up to the plate on 
controversial issues.  Furthermore, Cuban influence in 
Ecuador is surprisingly invasive, especially in indigenous 
areas (Cuban doctors, educational exchanges, etc.); Gutierrez 
does not want to give the indigenous another reason to take 
to the streets. 
 
Robust Action Plan Targets High-Level Officials 
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3.  (SBU) From the Ambassador down, we are discussing the 
importance of the Cuba vote with our GOE contacts and 
emphasizing this opportunity for Ecuador to assert its lack 
of tolerance for flagrant human rights offenders, such as 
Cuba.  The Ambassador called President Gutierrez, ostensibly 
to wish him a happy birthday but actually to discuss his 
possible Venezuela trip (septel) and Cuba.  He was in the 
middle of a public event but wanted to meet with her next 
week to discuss the issues further.  She also discussed the 
matter with Minister of Foreign Trade Ivonne Baki by 
telephone and will follow up in person.  FM Patricio 
Zuquilanda is out of the country until March 31, but the 
Ambassador has arranged a meeting with him as soon as he 
returns. 
 
4.  (SBU) The DCM is also lobbying his contacts.  In FM 
Zuquilanda's absence, he will call Vice FM Edwin Johnson, who 
is in New York currently.  The DCM also plans to talk to 
Presidential Secretary Carlos Polit, one of the Embassy's 
closest Cabinet contacts.  Acting PolCouns met with 
presidential advisor Carlos Larrea today and urged him to 
push to change Ecuador's stance on Cuba.  We also will meet 
with Mauricio Pozo, Ecuadorian Ambassador-designate to 
Washington.  Last we will canvass friendly missions, 
especially the Spanish and Holy See's, which have helped us 
in the past in basic human rights-related demarches. 
 
Comment: 
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5.  (C) Convincing Ecuador to support the Cuban resolution 
will be an uphill battle.  However, we appreciate the 
significance of Ecuador's vote and are determined to use our 
access fully.  We will report back with the results of these 
meetings and will recommend Washington's assistance in 
placing phone calls to key GOE decision makers once we have 
fully discuss this issue in Ecuador.  We anticipate calls by 
Assistant Secretary Roger Noriega to FM Zuquilanda and Deputy 
Secretary Robert Zoellick to President Gutierrez to be the 
 
SIPDIS 
best complements to our efforts. 
KENNEY