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### Viewing cable 05QUITO2100, GALAPAGOS PARK MANAGEMENT: ONE STEP FORWARD; TWO

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
05QUITO2100 | 2005-09-09 17:08 | 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 002100

    SIPDIS

    DEPT PLEASE TO USAID

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: SENV EAID ECON EFIS ETRD PGOV PREL AORC EC
    SUBJECT:  GALAPAGOS PARK MANAGEMENT:  ONE STEP FORWARD; TWO
    STEPS BACK

    ¶1.  Summary.  In a move that strengthens the directorship of
    the Galapagos National Park (GNP), the GOE has established a
    transparent and independent selection process for park
    directors.  But this positive move is undermined by a
    parallel resolution by SENRES -- the national technical
    secretariat in charge of public sector wages -- that ends a

    SIPDIS
    favorable salary program used to attract well-qualified
    personnel to the Galapagos.  The SENRES decision has caused
    uproar among both the affected government workers and NGOs
    operating in the Galapagos.  More importantly, in
    conjunction with last year's 30% reduction in park staff,
    the resolution may undermine the GOE's ability to
    effectively manage the park.  End Summary.

    ONE STEP FORWARD: DE-POLITICIZING THE DIRECTORSHIP
    --------------------------------------------- -----

    ¶2.  Environment Minister Alban signed an agreement in August
    2005 with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to
    establish a transparent and independent selection process
    for park directors.  The new selection process, the details
    of which are based on a proposal developed by outside
    consultants and funded by USAID, UNDP, and IDB, seeks to
    replace a highly politicized process that resulted in 13
    Park Directors in the last 2 years.  While the use of the
    park directorship for political purposes was particular to
    former President Gutierrez, it left a weakened GNP in its
    wake.  The MOE is expected to initiate the new selection
    process on September 20.  The GNP currently is managed by an
    interim director.

    ¶3.  The new selection process, while not ideal, nonetheless
    represents a step forward in the effort to strengthen the
    management of the park.  The GOE-UNDP agreement requires
    that future directors have an appropriate level of work
    experience and educational background in environmental
    sciences and management.  Recent park directors more often
    than not lacked such knowledge.  Transparency being a major
    concern in past appointments, the agreement also calls for
    an independent four-member committee to manage the hiring
    process and to publicly provide details as to why and how
    they made their decision.  Unfortunately, the agreement does
    not provide for job security, something that the
    consultant's proposal considered vital.

    TWO STEPS BACK? SALARY BENEFITS ELIMINATED
    ------------------------------------------

    ¶4.  The August 2005 SENRES resolution that created wage
    equality for public officials across all Ecuadorian
    provinces essentially overturned a provision of the
    Galapagos Special Law that calls for government officials in
    the Galapagos to earn an extra 100% of their salary.
    International donors, NGOs, and those managing the park
    consider this provision necessary to attract well-qualified
    personnel to serve in the Galapagos, where the cost of
    living is high relative to the mainland.

    ¶5.  Park operators and NGOs (both international and
    domestic) have approached President Palacios, Minister Alba,
    and Galapagos Deputy Alfredo Serrano requesting support.
    They are requesting a GOE determination that the Special Law
    take precedence over the SENRES resolution.  While President
    Palacios has been silent on the issue, his legal advisor has
    informally agreed with their position.  Minister Alba has
    taken no action on the request other than to suggest the
    Solicitor General might be able to decide.  Serrano has
    taken up the matter directly with the Solicitor General, who
    has the authority to rule on the relative precedence of the
    law and resolution.  The Solicitor General has yet to make a
    decision.

    ¶6.  In discussions with EconOff, NGO leaders and government
    officials in the Galapagos have expressed three major
    concerns with respect to the SENRES resolution.  First,
    morale has plummeted among government workers in the GNP and
    INGALA, the two main government institutions on the islands.
    Morale plays a crucial role in the park's monitoring
    effectiveness as workers already face an uphill battle
    against illegal fishermen who are better funded and better
    equipped.  Second, government officials within the GNP and
    INGALA have expressed doubt that they will be able to
    attract well-qualified personnel for important leadership
    positions, to include the new Park Director.  For example,
    citing the surrounding uncertainty, one well-known boat
    operator who considered serving as captain of a key GNP
    monitoring and research vessel has reportedly decided to
    take a job with a tour operator instead.   Third, the
    retention of existing personnel will become a problem.  In
    particular, park wardens and boat operators are unlikely to
    renew their contracts in the coming year and will instead
    seek employment with tour operators and fishing interests
    where the pay will be higher.  Those operators who choose to
    renew their contracts at a lower pay could be more
    susceptible to bribes.

    ¶7.  Compounding these problems is a 2004 SENRES decision to
    reduce the number of GNP staff by 30%, from 220 to 154.
    This reduction already has hampered the GNP's ability to
    patrol the marine reserve, to monitor fishing catches, and
    to manage conservation.  Park officials and NGOs fear that
    low morale and their inability to attract and retain well-
    qualified personnel will add to these problems and cause
    irreparable long-term harm to their monitoring and
    conservation efforts.

    JEWELL

`