US embassy cable - 05QUITO2662

C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 002662 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, MOPS, PTER, SNAR, CO, EC, Regional 
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA OFFERS OLIVE BRANCH ON SPRAYING 
 
REF: QUTIO 02643 
 
Classified By: PolOff Jarahn Hillsman, Reasons 1.4 (b&d) 
 
1.  (C) Summary: Ecuadorian Vice FM Diego Ribadeneira and 
Colombian Vice FM Comilo Reyes met in Quito on November 17 to 
review key bilateral issues for the December 7 ministerial 
meeting.  As predicted, the meeting primarily focused on 
northern border security issues including migration, 
refugees, and fumigations.  Reyes reportedly conveyed major 
GOC concession to temporarily suspend aerial fumigations 
within 10 kilometers of the Ecuadorian border from January 
2006.  The offer has been welcomed here, and sets the stage 
for more productive talks in Bogota between the foreign 
ministers.  President Palacio, meanwhile, has called for a 
GOC apology on the recent border incursion.  End Summary. 
 
2.  (C) Colombian Ambassador to Ecuador, Carlos Holguin, 
confirmed to NASDir on November 18 that VFM Reyes had agreed 
to temporarily halt aerial spraying along the border with 
Ecuador beginning in January, adding that the suspension is 
provisional and meant to appease the GOE in the short term. 
Ambassador Holguin said that the GOC is currently spraying, 
and that they will continue these efforts through December. 
He reported that the GOC agreed to more aggressively address 
the refugee issue, but noted that the November 11 raid 
resulted in over 41 drug labs destroyed. 
 
3.  (C) According to MFA sources, the two governments also 
committed to improve military-to-military communication for 
better information exchange on potential narcotrafficking and 
refugee movement into Ecuador.  However, the GOE reaffirmed 
its reluctance to be drawn into Colombia's internal conflict. 
 The vice ministers also agreed to convene a bi-national 
committee on northern border development. 
 
4.  (U) FM Carrion has publicly welcomed the GOC suspension, 
while expressing muted concern over its temporary nature. 
President Palacio, meanwhile, has publicly encouraged the GOC 
to apologize for the alleged November 11 incursion into 
Ecuadorian territory (reftel). 
 
5.  (C) Comment: The GOC's suspension decision was well 
received here, but FM Carrion will still likely push for help 
on refugees and for some public acknowledgment by the GOC of 
responsibility for the November 11 incident. 
JEWELL