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### Viewing cable 05QUITO874, ECUADOR: STREETS CALM, GUTIERREZ SAFE, PALACIO

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
05QUITO874 | 2005-04-21 15:24 | 2011-05-02 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Quito

`

    This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

` `

    UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 000874

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC EC
    SUBJECT: ECUADOR:  STREETS CALM, GUTIERREZ SAFE, PALACIO
    SPEAKS

    REF: A. QUITO 872

         ¶B. QUITO 871
         ¶C. QUITO 870

    ¶1.  (U) SUMMARY:  Providential rains cooled demonstrators'
    temperatures and cleared Quito streets late April 20,
    although additional protests focusing on Congress are likely
    April 21.  The Ecuadorian Red Cross is claiming two dead,
    more than 300 injured (mainly from tear gas) since mass
    demonstrations began a week ago.  Media reports that
    ex-President Lucio Gutierrez has holed up in the residence of
    the Brazilian ambassador, with Brasilia soon to grant him
    political asylum.  Police continue their search for former
    administration officials and PRE leader Abdala Bucaram.  With
    police and armed forces assistance, President Alfredo Palacio
    at 1900 hrs departed the site of the alternative
    Congressional session and proceeded to the Joint Command HQ
    in southern Quito, where he delivered his first presidential
    press conference.  Highlights included Palacio's stated
    intention to foment "direct democracy" in Ecuador, govern
    constitutionally, and not dissolve Congress or call immediate
    elections (although he will seek the public's opinion on the
    next vote's timing).  "I am Ecuador's last hope," he boasted.
      END SUMMARY.

    Security
    --------

    ¶2.  (U) Despite Congress having dismissed Gutierrez and
    installed Palacio as president, crowds attempted to penetrate
    both the Congressional building, where pro-GoE delegates
    worked, and the CIESPAL facility in north Quito, where
    opposition Congressman had established a "rebel" session.
    Police at the former prevented a breach, but some 3-4000
    demonstrators were crowding the entrance to CIESPAL as late
    as 1830 hrs, demanding complete dissolution of Congress.
    Embassy contacts told us approximately 30 legislators and
    Palacio were trapped inside.  Rains intensified, however,
    dispersing the crowds, and the eventual arrival of GoE
    security forces allowed the Ecuadorian president and deputies
    to depart at approximately 1930.

    ¶3.  (SBU) Inflammatory Quito radio station La Luna overnight
    broadcasted messages blasting the U.S.-Andean Free Trade
    Agreement and the USG military presence in Manta, but issued
    no calls for actions against the Embassy or American
    citizens.  It also called on protesters to return home,
    "their work done" (Septel will provide background on La Luna)
     RSO sources indicate sporadic protests will continue April
    21, however, the participants mainly hard-core leftists and
    rabble-rousers.  Quito's Red Cross April 21 tabulated the
    casualty toll from a week of Quito violence at two dead, 360
    wounded.

    Gutierrez
    ---------

    ¶4.  (U) Former President Gutierrez, after a surreal
    helicopter/airplane/helicopter/car escape, allegedly is holed
    up in the residence of Brazilian Ambassador Sergio Florencio.
     Peaceful protesters overnight gathered near the compound, a
    mile north of the Embassy, but dispersed by early morning;
    there remains a squad of police protecting the Brazilian
    mission.  Media report that Brasilia intends to grant
    Gutierrez asylum, although we have heard nothing through
    official channels.  In order to depart the country, the
    ex-president would require an Ecuadorian MFA-issued "safe
    conduct" determination, equal to what former FM Patricio
    Zuquilanda granted former GoE President Gustavo Noboa
    eighteen months ago.  Police continue their manhunt for
    former Supreme Court President Guillermo Castro, ex-President
    Abdala Bucaram, and one-time Minister of Social Welfare
    Bolivar Gonzalez, for whom Ecuador's acting attorney general
    has issued arrest warrants.

    Congress
    --------

    ¶5.  (SBU) Public dissatisfaction with Ecuador's legislature
    continues.  CIESPAL demonstrators attacked Congressional 1st
    VP Cynthia Viteri (PSC), who earlier had administered
    Palacio's oath of office, as well as independent Patricio
    Davila and Pachakutik's Miguel Lopez.  Media claimed that, in
    response to protesters' "throw the bums out" demands, two
    deputies allegedly have resigned (we are confirming).  On a
    positive note, Carlos Vallejo (PRIAN), chief of the
    International Relations Committee and long-time US-hater
    announced his intention to resign once the political
    situation stabilizes.  One PSC contact told Poloff that
    Congress would not reconvene until April 26 or 27, while
    another said the Democratic Left (ID) party would inherit the
    legislative presidency.  There has been no formal
    Congressional resolution tapping the ID, however.

    Government Response
    -------------------

    ¶6.  (U) At Joint Forces HQ April 20, newly installed
    President Alfredo Palacio conducted his first press
    conference; seated with him were Ecuador's military high
    commanders.  Palacio proclaimed his intention to establish
    "direct democracy" in Ecuador, without elaborating.  He would
    steadfastly honor the constitution, although he was not
    averse to amending it legally.  Palacio was "no dictator"; as
    such, he would not cave to protesters' demands to dissolve
    the legislature, believing anarchy would result.  Nor would
    he call immediate elections.  "Such an action would benefit
    the current, corrupt political class," the president
    asserted.  Instead, he would seek a revised electoral law, to
    be approved via referendum, that included options for the
    next presidential vote.

    ¶7.  (U) Palacio had not yet finalized his Cabinet selections
    (media claim three are in place now), but would consider
    candidates of any political stripe.  His VP "must be
    intelligent, prepared, and have experience in public
    service."  On issues of USG importance, Palacio did not
    dismiss out-of-hand the Free Trade Agreement, but claimed
    Ecuador's negotiating position and team were weak.  He did
    not mention Manta.  Concluding the conference, the president
    pleaded for time to recast and rebuild the nation.  "I am
    Ecuador's last hope," he contended.

    Embassy Actions
    ---------------

    ¶8.  (SBU) The RSO and others continue outreach to their GoE
    law enforcement and military intelligence counterparts.  At
    0830 hrs, DAO and Milgroup commander are calling on Joint
    Forces Chief Victor Rosero to gauge the current situation and
    urge the military to behave responsibly.  Late April 20, PSC
    leaders Leon Febres-Cordero and Jaime Nebot attempted to
    reach the Ambassador, urging her to declare the presidential
    change "constitutional."  Seeing a trap, she declined the
    calls, although she will call Nebot April 21.

    Third Party Efforts
    -------------------

    ¶9.  (U) Media here reported that Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia,
    Peru, and Argentina had issued statements calling for calm
    and constitutional order in Ecuador.  The local UN mission
    forwarded us the UNSYG's statement, which tracks closely with
    ours in its calls for a non-violence and a return to rule of
    law.  We understand the OAS Permanent Council is meeting
    April 21, and we have forwarded comments to USOAS regarding
    the U.S. permrep's statement.

    Next Steps
    ----------

    ¶10.  (SBU) Septel will detail the Embassy's short-term plans
    for engaging the new government.  Broadly, we will seek
    meetings with the few Palacio Administration officials
    already named, maintain regular contacts with Ecuadorian
    security forces, and reach out to important third-party
    actors, from business leaders and former politicians to
    academics and heads of NGOs.
    KENNEY

`