US embassy cable - 05QUITO2724

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 002724 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: TEN YEARS 
TAGS: PGOV, PINR, PREL, EC, Regional 
SUBJECT: MFA'S COOLER HEADS ON COLOMBIA, PERU 
 
Classified By: PolChief Erik Hall for reason 1.4 (b&d) 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  Vice Foreign Minister Diego Ribadeneira 
told the Charge on November 30 that FM Francisco Carrion 
would like to pay an official visit to Washington in January 
or February.  Ribadeneira, who took office in October when 
Carrion replaced outgoing FM Antonio Parra, highlighted the 
importance of good bilateral relations with the U.S. to 
combat unhelpful "ultra-nationalist" pressures which 
characterized the previous minister.  Those pressures convert 
foreign policy issues into "political footballs," citing the 
fumigation issue with Colombia as an example.  The Peruvian 
government's recent actions on the maritime border is another 
example of an issue which, if not carefully handled, will 
stir up a nationalist reaction here. End Summary. 
 
Washington Visit 
---------------- 
 
2.  (SBU) The Charge and PolChief paid a courtesy call on 
Ribadeneira November 30 to open dialogue.  Ribadeneira was 
eager to offer himself as a channel for communication on 
important bilateral issues, saying FM Carrion had encouraged 
him to do so.  Carrion wished to visit Washington in January 
or February, in recognition of the importance of the U.S. to 
Ecuador.  The details of a visit could be easily worked out 
between us, he said, but added  that it would be important to 
assure that Carrion had some opportunity to meet with the 
Secretary, if only briefly.  Ribadeneira contrasted Carrion's 
 
SIPDIS 
policy of dialogue with Ecuador's partners and neighbors with 
the former minister's ultra-nationalist line, especially with 
Colombia, which he faulted for its ineffectiveness. 
 
Colombia 
-------- 
 
3.  (C) Ribadeneira said his talks with Colombian VFM Reyes 
had been productive, and he would continue them in Bogota on 
December 2 to help prepare for the bilateral meeting between 
FMs on December 7.  The GOE wishes better relations with 
Colombia across the board, based fundamentally on the 
principle of GOE "solidarity" with the GOC in its internal 
challenges.  Ribadeneira was quick to clarify that solidarity 
implies moral support, not material or military involvement 
in its neighbor,s internal affairs.  The GOE also seeks GOC 
recognition of (and funding support for) the spillover 
effects of its conflict in Ecuador, specifically the 
Colombians displaced into Ecuador. 
 
4.  (C) Ribadeneira cited fumigation as an example of an 
issue "ultra-nationalists" have converted into a political 
symbol, making resolution more difficult. He also said that 
he had no doubts that those who benefit from 
narco-trafficking also actively exploit the issue. The Charge 
expressed concern about the tone of a diplomatic note 
received by Embassy Bogota from the Ecuadorian Embassy there 
on the fumigation issue, and clarified some of its mistaken 
assertions.  Ribadeneira said he was unaware of the note, but 
urged the USG to "consider it a dead issue, not requiring 
response."  The note probably reflected political 
intervention in response to nationalist pressures, he said. 
More important than diplomatic protests about the safety of 
glyphosate, according to Ribadeneira, was progress in 
bilateral understanding on the issue.  VFM Reyes' announced 
temporary suspension of fumigation within 10 km of the border 
had been very welcome in Quito, he said. The GOE privately 
recognizes the GOC's full prerogative to pursue its 
counter-narcotic fumigation policy.  What they seek, he 
explained, is greater sensitivity to the very real political 
problems that the border spraying presents for Ecuador. They 
do not seek suspension of spraying across the entire border 
region.  A satisfactory outcome would be agreement to suspend 
spraying specifically in zones adjacent to Ecuadorian 
villages, he said.  For its part, the GOE is proposing to 
revive the bi-national commission and promote contacts 
between the two nations' military and civilian authorities on 
a variety of issues. 
 
Peru 
---- 
 
5.  (C) Another issue which, mishandled, could become a 
nationalist cause here is the Peru-Chile maritime boundary. 
The GOP is asking for Ecuador's support in its dispute with 
Chile, a request Ribadeneira called "ridiculous."  He termed 
the Peruvian parliament's attempt to delineate baselines for 
its claim as "utopian, since the Chileans will never give in 
on this issue."  The GOP has also protested Ecuador's recent 
statement in support of Chile's position, and is seeking to 
link a pending electricity cooperation agreement to the 
maritime border issue - which Ribadeneira termed little more 
than blackmail.  The meeting was interrupted by a call from 
FM Carrion on this issue--Ribadeneira recommended not 
responding to the Peruvian attempt at linkage, despite 
Ecuador's serious electricity shortage. Their goal is to keep 
this from becoming a highly politicized and public issue. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
6.  (C) We support the FM's request to be received in 
Washington by the Secretary, if it can be arranged.  A visit 
would offer Ecuador's new FM a credibility boost, rewarding 
his more moderate approach and shielding him from nationalist 
attack.  Ribadeneira's openness offers an opportunity to 
circumvent the more unhelpful MFA mid-ranks on important 
issues.  His participation in talks with Colombia and Peru is 
also encouraging, and is clearly already bearing fruit with 
the former.  We are especially encouraged that the GOE seems 
to have backed off its aggressive stance on fumigation, and 
is focusing its energies on advancing a broader dialogue with 
its neighbor to the north. 
 
Biographic Info 
--------------- 
 
7.  (SBU) Diego Ribadeneira Espinosa, 55, is a career 
diplomat who most recently served as Ambassador to Brazil 
from 1999-2005.  He has also served abroad in Honduras, 
Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Chile.  He served as MFA Secretary 
General (VFM-equivalent) in the 1990's during the negotiation 
of a peace treaty with Peru, and is appreciative of the very 
positive role played by the USG in that process.  Ribadeneira 
was born in Quito.  He studied law and political science at 
Quito's Catholic University.  He is married and has five 
children. 
BROWN