US embassy cable - 05QUITO1024

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 001024 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2015 
TAGS: MARR, MASS, PREL, SNAR, PTER, EC, CO 
SUBJECT: ECUADORIAN JOINT CHIEF VOWS CONTINUED U.S. 
ENGAGEMENT 
 
REF: QUITO 962 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney, Reasons 1.4 (b), (d) 
 
1.  (C) SUMMARY:  Positive atmospherics surrounded the 
Ambassador's initial call on new Ecuadorian Joint Forces 
Commander Admiral Manuel Zapater, the admiral recalling 
fondly their years-earlier meetings in Guayaquil.  Zapater 
promised continued Ecuadorian security collaboration with the 
United States.  The GoE would not abandon its northern 
frontier, he assured, but rather sought U.S.-provided 
intelligence to allow a better focused border defense.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (U) Ten days into his tenure, Zapater welcomed the 
Ambassador for a May 4 courtesy call; instead of the service 
chiefs, their chiefs of staff accompanied the Ecuadorian 
admiral.  Unlike similar gatherings, the atmosphere was 
informal and friendly, owing to a relationship forged during 
the Ambassador's many visits to Guayaquil. 
 
3.  (C) Zapater promised his command would seek even closer 
relations with its U.S. counterpart.  An example was ANSEC, 
the Southcom-sponsored conference of Andean nations' military 
leaders, slated for Guayaquil and Galapagos in November. 
Ecuador had pushed hard to host the conference, which before 
had left Miami only once; Zapater promised his forces' full 
engagement with regional neighbors. 
 
4.  (C) Turning his focus north, the Admiral emphasized that 
Ecuador had no intention of rolling back its augmented force 
posture along the Colombian frontier.  "We won't get involved 
in Plan Colombia," he asserted, but would remain vigilant to 
the threats posed by Colombian narcoterrorists.  Ecuador's 
soldiers and marines were well-trained, equipped and 
committed; what they lacked was actionable intelligence. 
Zapater hoped the United States might provide what his forces 
needed. 
 
5.  (C) The Ambassador repeated our well-worn refrain that 
neither Colombia nor the United States wanted the GoE 
"involved" in Plan Colombia, an initiative designed "por y 
para" (for and by) Colombians.  Ecuador's security forces 
must protect Ecuadorian sovereignty and territory from 
narcoterrorist incursions.  Careful not to promise 
intelligence, owing to complex U.S. legalities, she noted 
that various USG entities might be willing to assist. 
 
6.  (C) Southcom commander General Bantz Craddock would make 
a return visit to Ecuador in June, the Ambassador revealed. 
Craddock sought to travel north and witness the difficult 
terrain and harsh climate that challenged Ecuadorian troops 
along the frontier.  He also wished to see U.S. assistance 
first-hand, whether it be donated Humvees or USAID water 
projects.  The Ambassador hoped Zapater and/or his staff 
might accompany. 
 
7.  (C) COMMENT:  Zapater is a known quantity; we did not 
expect major policy swings from him, nor much strategic 
vision.  We worried, however, that clamoring from Palacio's 
left and nationalist wings might prompt the high command to 
retrench and perhaps retreat somewhat from the border.  The 
admiral raising his commitment to the north therefore 
surprised us, but pleasantly.  With the Craddock visit, we 
hope to lobby him further on the benefits of close U.S. 
relations and the need to fortify the frontier. 
KENNEY