US embassy cable - 05QUITO885

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 000885 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, ASEC, EC 
SUBJECT: TENTATIVE SUPPORT FOR PALACIO 
 
REF: A. QUITO 879 
 
     B. QUITO 874 
     C. QUITO 872 
     D. QUITO 871 
     E. QUITO 870 
 
Classified By: Amb. Kristie A. Kenney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (U) Summary.  The Embassy continues its outreach on all 
fronts, revealing tentative support for Palacio throughout 
Ecuador.  Many "supporters" note that Palacio has a tough 
road ahead of him as public pressure mounts to hold elections 
soon and rid Ecuador of corruption and partisan politics. 
Eight ministers were sworn in today (Septel) while droves of 
Gutierrez appointees evacuated their offices.  Congress is 
slated to reassemble April 26 or 27.  The security situation 
has calmed down as the protesters have not returned to the 
streets today.  Reports from other parts of the country 
indicate that all is calm and that American citizens are not 
being targeted.  The Embassy will continue its outreach and 
has begun privately engaging the new administration.  End 
Summary. 
 
Tentative Support for Palacio 
----------------------------- 
 
2. (C) The Embassy continued its outreach to various sectors 
to gauge support for Palacio and assess what are the GOE's 
next steps (Consulate Guayaquil will send Septel on its 
efforts).  Some indigenous leaders are voicing concern that 
Palacio is favoring the Social Christian Party (PSC) in his 
government.  They will not participate in his government and 
are calling on Palacio to hold elections soon, saying that he 
should be in office for no more than four months, preferably 
one month.  Jaime Nebot, the Mayor of Guayaquil, has called 
for a meeting of the Association of Mayors.  The indigenous 
will send representatives and intend to call for elections. 
The main indigenous group (CONAIE) is meeting to consider 
presenting Palacio with a list of demands or calling for new 
elections. 
 
3. (C) In an April 21 meeting with DATT and MILGRP, Joint 
Chief VADM Rosero said that the military had considered 
imposing a junta but decided against it because of the 
political ramifications.  In turn, Rosero said, the military 
decided to maintain a unified command throughout this ordeal 
in adherence to the constitution.  Rosero noted that the 
relations between the military and police were now at a low 
point, due to actions taken by the police during the crisis. 
Specifically, he mentioned how the former Chief of Police 
Poveda floundered in his duties, then fled.  And his 
replacement, Cuvero, wavered in performing his duties. 
Rosero said that the military supported Gutierrez until he 
was "no longer supportable".  Now, they will support Palacio, 
noting that they had to go so far as to dress him in military 
khakis in order to rescue him from the siege of the Congress 
at CIESPAL.  Rosero noted that this was the first time the 
Ecuadorian military had not seized power in this type of 
situation.  A noteworthy milestone. 
 
4. (C) Democratic Left party (ID) sources have confirmed ID's 
support of Palacio.  Cynthia Viteri of the PSC is currently 
the vice president of Congress.  ID hopes to claim the 
presidency of Congress by resolution next week, to install 
either Wilfrido Lucero, Jorge Sanchez, Andres Paez or 
Guillermo Landazuri.  Some members of Congress have 
reportedly resigned in response to events.  Most, however, 
have stayed on and will, tentatively, reassemble on April 26 
or 27. 
 
5. (U) The Episcopal Conference issued a statement in support 
of Palacio and called for peace and dialogue. 
 
Comings and Goings 
------------------ 
 
6. (C) Eight ministers were sworn in today (see Septel for 
bio specifics), while Gutierrez appointees evacuated their 
post.  All the employees from the director level up at the 
Ministry of Government have been asked to resign.  Carlos 
Polit, Gutierrez' Presidency Minister, hinted to the DCM that 
a witch hunt might be on.  He is laying low until he can hop 
a flight to the U.S. (he holds a U.S. passport).  The former 
Ministers of Economy and Finance, Commerce and Labor, 
however, have said that they will most likely stay in Ecuador. 
 
7. (C) Polit acknowledged that the Gutierrez government made 
major mistakes, most notably allowing Bucaram to return.  He 
said he is in regular contact with Gutierrez, who he said is 
in relatively good spirits.  Polit mentioned that Gilmar 
Gutierrez, the ex-President's brother, is in hiding and may 
also be at the Brazilian Embassy with ex-President Gutierrez 
and his family.  Military sources confirmed the two were 
together when departing sanctuary at an air base near Quito 
for the Brazilian residence. 
 
Security 
-------- 
 
8. (U) Providential rains continued today, helping to deter 
further demonstrations.  There were no verified reports of 
protests in Quito and the city remains calm.  The ENP reports 
that there is a slight possibility of anti-government 
protests tomorrow. 
 
American Citizens 
----------------- 
9. (U) Our wardens are reporting calm in provinces outside of 
Quito; no incidents have been reported against American 
citizens.  Some Peace Corps volunteers in distant provinces 
had been unaware of the events transpiring in Quito until 
notified by us. 
 
Next Steps 
---------- 
 
10. (U) The DCM will attend a meeting of OAS-member states 
with Antonio Parra, the newly-minted Minister of Foreign 
Affairs, late on April 21.  The members of the new Cabinet 
have been closeted with the new President all day. 
 
KENNEY