US embassy cable - 05QUITO872

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 000872 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, ASEC, EC 
SUBJECT: ECUADOR'S POLITICAL CRISIS CONTINUES 
 
REF: QUITO 870 
 
Classified By: Amb. Kristie A. Kenney for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  The political crisis in Quito is ongoing 
with new protests against the Congress and newly sworn-in 
President Alfredo Palacio.  The military high command has 
privately expressed concern but not moved decisively against 
the protests.  We have urged respect for life and property 
but are concerned that further protests could create a power 
vacuum.  Elsewhere the country is calm.  There have been no 
incidents involving American citizens reported.  No protest 
actions have been directed against the Embassy, and there 
have been no reported incidents against USG personnel or 
property.  End Summary. 
 
Security 
-------- 
 
2.  (C) Protests continue and have renewed outside of the 
Congress' temporary meeting place with several thousand 
protesters demanding the resignation of Congress and new 
President Palacio.  There is a police presence at these 
sites, and there should be additional police on the streets 
this evening. 
 
Military 
-------- 
 
3.  (C) SOUTHCOM CDR Gen. Craddock called Joint Chief Rosero 
in late afternoon to counsel professionalism in this crisis. 
Rosero said the military was compelled by circumstances to 
withdraw its support from the Gutierrez government.  The 
military should enforce public order and protect lives and 
property, he told Rosero.  Military leaders should seek to 
prevent further conflict, think through their actions and 
give clear orders to subordinates.  Rosero agreed. 
 
Embassy Actions 
--------------- 
 
4.  (C) The Ambassador spoke again with ex-President 
Gutierrez at 1510.  Gutierrez asked whether he should apply 
for asylum or flee the country.  Asked by the Ambassador if 
he had resigned, he said he had no time to do so before 
leaving the palace.  The Ambassador suggested he go to a safe 
place in Ecuador and evaluate the situation.  Despite rumors 
that he has departed for his hometown in the Amazon region, 
we have confirmed Gutierrez is now at the residence of the 
Brazilian ambassador. 
 
President's Press Conference 
---------------------------- 
 
5.  (C) Palacio held a press conference at 1545  He began by 
thanking Radio La Luna for encouraging citizen-based 
activism.  He said he had closed all borders so no one can 
leave the country.  He plans to strengthen institutions and 
return to democracy.  He also named three ministers:  Foreign 
Minister Antonio Parra, Minister of Government Mauricio 
Gandara, and Secretary of Public Administration Luis Herreria 
(Gandara's biographical information is in paragraph 8).  In 
response to a question about possible charges against 
Gutierrez, he said he would not pardon or forgive crimes.  He 
also said sovereignty is key and that all of Ecuador's 
problems are related to sovereignty when asked about the 
Manta FOL; however, he did not comment directly on the FOL. 
He said he would follow all agreements Ecuador has signed to 
the letter but "not a single letter more." 
 
Next Steps 
---------- 
 
6.  (C) The Embassy is taking the following steps: 
 
-- CONS:  The Consular Section is working with the Bureau of 
Consular Affairs to issue a public announcement on April 21, 
suggesting AmCits lay low and review their future travel 
plans to Ecuador in light of the unstable political situation. 
 
-- PAS:  The Embassy will let the situation settle down a 
little and may make a benign public statement on April 21 
that we are monitoring the situation carefully and are 
hopeful for a peaceful resolution.  We also will emphasize 
our foremost respect for life and property. 
 
-- POL:  In touch with sequestered Congress; reaching out to 
indigenous for reactions/intentions. 
-- MILGP/DAO:  Our military liaisons will call VADM Rosero 
and General Aguas on April 20 and visit them on April 21 
urging restraint and professionalism. 
 
-- NAS/DEA:  The sections will reach out to their police 
contacts, especially the anti-narcotics police, and encourage 
them to do their jobs and show a police presence in Quito. 
 
-- RSO:  The RSO reviewed all security measures in place and 
met with police contacts.  He requested additional police for 
the Embassy and EMR.  The 8 p.m. curfew for Embassy personnel 
and dependents remains in place. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
7.  (C) With Congress and Palacio now the target of 
protesters, we are refraining from making public statements 
until the situation clarifies.  The military is the key actor 
should a political vacuum develop in the event of a Palacio 
resignation.  Technically, he would be replaced by the 
President of Congress, which is unlikely to mollify 
protesters.  Gutierrez' status is also a concern: authorities 
are reportedly preparing legal charges against him and 
Palacio has signaled no sympathy.  If necessary, we are 
prepared to discourage any asylum request of us, and steer 
Gutierrez elsewhere. 
 
Biographical Information 
------------------------ 
 
8.  (SBU) Mauricio Gandara is a lawyer based in Quito who 
wrote to the Embassy in July 2002 denouncing the "presence of 
Dyncorp mercenaries on the Manta airbase."  Gandara 
complained in the letter that cooperation between the two 
countries now only focused on anti-terrorism and combating 
narcotrafficking at the expense of development projects. 
Additional biographical information on the new ministers will 
be sent septel. 
KENNEY