

Currently released so far... 12478 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AU
ASEC
AE
AF
AORC
AEMR
AMGT
ABUD
AFFAIRS
APER
AS
AMED
AY
AG
AR
AJ
AL
AID
AM
AODE
ABLD
AMG
AFIN
ATRN
AGAO
AFU
AN
AA
ALOW
APECO
ADM
ARF
ASEAN
APEC
AMBASSADOR
AO
ASUP
AZ
AADP
ACOA
ANET
AMCHAMS
ACABQ
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APCS
AGMT
AINF
AIT
AORL
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ACBAQ
AFGHANISTAN
ADANA
ADPM
AX
ADCO
AECL
AMEX
ACAO
ASCH
AORG
AGR
AROC
ASIG
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
BL
BR
BO
BA
BD
BM
BK
BG
BU
BB
BH
BTIO
BY
BEXP
BP
BE
BRUSSELS
BF
BIDEN
BT
BX
BC
BILAT
BN
BBSR
BTIU
BWC
BMGT
CA
CASC
CVIS
CM
CH
CO
CU
CD
CWC
CI
CS
CY
CMGT
CF
CG
CR
CB
CV
CW
CE
CBW
CT
CPAS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CJAN
CODEL
CIDA
CDG
CDC
CIA
CTR
CNARC
CSW
CN
CONS
CLINTON
COE
CROS
CARICOM
CONDOLEEZZA
COUNTER
CL
COM
CICTE
CIS
CFED
COUNTRY
CJUS
CBSA
CEUDA
CLMT
CAC
COPUOS
CIC
CBE
CHR
CTM
CVR
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CACS
CAN
CITT
CARSON
CACM
CDB
CAPC
CKGR
CBC
EC
EG
EPET
ECON
ETRD
EFIN
EIND
EMIN
ENRG
EAID
EAGR
EUN
ETTC
EAIR
ENIV
ES
EU
EINV
ELAB
ECIN
EFIS
ELTN
EWWT
ECPS
ECONOMIC
ENGR
EN
EINT
EPA
ELN
ESA
EZ
ER
ET
EFTA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
EXTERNAL
EI
EUR
EK
ERNG
ENGY
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENERG
EINVEFIN
ENVR
ECA
ELECTIONS
ETC
EUREM
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EURN
ECINECONCS
EEPET
EXIM
ERD
ENVI
ETRC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ETRO
EDU
ETRN
EAIG
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
EIAR
EXBS
ECUN
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ESENV
ECONEFIN
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINVETC
IZ
IT
IR
IS
IN
IC
IAEA
IO
ICAO
IWC
ID
IV
ISRAEL
IAHRC
IQ
ICTR
IMF
IRS
IDP
IGAD
ICRC
ICTY
IMO
IL
INRA
INRO
ICJ
ITU
IBRD
INMARSAT
IIP
ITALY
IEFIN
IACI
ILO
INTELSAT
ILC
ITRA
IDA
INRB
IRC
INTERPOL
IA
IPR
IRAQI
ISRAELI
INTERNAL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
IBET
INR
IEA
IZPREL
IRAJ
ITF
IF
KDEM
KU
KPAL
KNNP
KCRM
KZ
KN
KS
KJUS
KTFN
KSCA
KV
KISL
KPAO
KPKO
KIRF
KTIA
KIPR
KFLO
KFRD
KTIP
KAWC
KSUM
KCOM
KAID
KE
KTDB
KMDR
KOMC
KWBG
KDRG
KVPR
KTEX
KGIC
KWMN
KSCI
KCOR
KACT
KDDG
KHLS
KSAF
KFLU
KSEO
KMRS
KSPR
KOLY
KSEP
KVIR
KGHG
KIRC
KUNR
KIFR
KCIP
KMCA
KMPI
KBCT
KHSA
KICC
KIDE
KCRS
KMFO
KRVC
KRGY
KR
KAWK
KG
KFIN
KHIV
KBIO
KOCI
KBTR
KNEI
KPOA
KCFE
KPLS
KSTC
KHDP
KPRP
KCRCM
KLIG
KCFC
KTER
KREC
KTBT
KPRV
KSTH
KRIM
KRAD
KWAC
KWMM
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KOMS
KX
KMIG
KRCM
KVRP
KBTS
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNAR
KPWR
KNPP
KDEMAF
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KGIT
KPAI
KTLA
KFSC
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KID
KOM
KMOC
KJUST
KGCC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KO
KNSD
KHUM
KSEC
KCMR
KCHG
KICA
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KCGC
KWWMN
KPAK
KWNM
KWMNCS
KRFD
MOPS
MCAP
MPOS
MARR
MO
MNUC
MX
MASS
MG
MY
MU
ML
MR
MILITARY
MTCRE
MT
MEPP
MA
MDC
MP
MAR
MASSMNUC
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MD
MI
MEETINGS
MK
MCC
MEPN
MRCRE
MAS
MIL
MASC
MC
MV
MTCR
MIK
MUCN
MEDIA
MERCOSUR
MW
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTRE
MEPI
MQADHAFI
MAPS
NO
NATO
NL
NP
NZ
NSF
NI
NH
NG
NAFTA
NU
NASA
NR
NATOPREL
NSSP
NSG
NA
NT
NW
NK
NPT
NPA
NATIONAL
NPG
NSFO
NS
NSC
NE
NGO
NDP
NIPP
NRR
NEW
NZUS
NC
NAR
NV
NORAD
OTRA
OPCW
OVIP
OAS
OREP
OPIC
OIIP
OPRC
ODIP
OEXC
OPDC
OSCE
OIC
OSCI
OECD
OFDP
OFDA
OMIG
OPAD
OFFICIALS
OVP
OIE
OHUM
OCS
OBSP
OTR
OSAC
ON
OCII
OES
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PTER
PINS
PINR
PREF
PK
PROP
PA
PARM
PBTS
PMAR
PM
PGIV
PE
PRAM
PHUH
PHSA
PL
PNAT
PO
PLN
PAO
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PF
PEL
PBIO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PAS
POL
PREO
PAHO
PMIL
POGOV
POV
PAK
PNR
PRL
PG
PREFA
PSI
PINL
PU
PARMS
PRGOV
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POSTS
PROG
PORG
PTBS
PUNE
POLICY
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PP
PS
PY
PTERE
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PRELP
PSEPC
PGOVE
PINF
PNG
PGOC
PFOR
PCUL
POLINT
PGGV
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PGOVLO
PHUS
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RELATIONS
RW
RO
RM
RP
ROOD
RICE
RUPREL
RSO
RCMP
REACTION
REPORT
REGION
RIGHTS
RF
RFE
RSP
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
SU
SCUL
SNAR
SOCI
SF
SA
SHUM
SENV
SP
SR
SY
SANC
SC
SMIG
SZ
SARS
SW
SEVN
SO
SEN
SL
SNARCS
SNARN
SI
SG
SN
SH
SYR
SAARC
SPCE
SHI
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SYRIA
SWE
STEINBERG
SIPRS
ST
SNARIZ
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SIPDIS
SAN
TC
TI
TBIO
TH
TSPL
TRGY
TSPA
TPHY
TU
TW
TS
TAGS
TK
TX
TNGD
TZ
TF
TL
TV
TN
TD
TIP
TR
TP
TO
TT
TFIN
THPY
TERRORISM
TINT
TRSY
TURKEY
TBID
US
UK
UNGA
UP
UZ
UNMIK
USTR
UNO
UNSC
UN
UNESCO
UNAUS
UNHRC
UY
UG
UNHCR
UNCND
USOAS
USEU
UNICEF
UNEP
UV
UNPUOS
UNCSD
USUN
UNCHR
UNDC
USNC
UE
UNDP
UNC
USPS
USAID
UNVIE
UAE
UNFICYP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNCHC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 10QUITO37, China cautiously seeks to expand commercial interests in
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #10QUITO37.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
10QUITO37 | 2010-01-26 22:21 | 2011-04-16 20:30 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Quito |
Appears in these articles: http://www.eluniverso.com/2011/04/16/1/1355/cable-245644.html |
VZCZCXYZ0100
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHQT #0037/01 0262221
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 262221Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY QUITO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0689
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0008
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0005
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000037
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2035/01/26
TAGS: ECON EFIN SENV ENRG EC CH
SUBJECT: China cautiously seeks to expand commercial interests in
Ecuador
REF: 09 QUITO 1059; QUITO 5; 09 QUITO 934 ...
id: 245644
date: 1/26/2010 22:21
refid: 10QUITO37
origin: Embassy Quito
classification: CONFIDENTIAL
destination: 09QUITO1059|09QUITO934|10QUITO5
header:
VZCZCXYZ0100
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHQT #0037/01 0262221
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 262221Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY QUITO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0689
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0008
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0005
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO
----------------- header ends ----------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000037
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2035/01/26
TAGS: ECON EFIN SENV ENRG EC CH
SUBJECT: China cautiously seeks to expand commercial interests in
Ecuador
REF: 09 QUITO 1059; QUITO 5; 09 QUITO 934
CLASSIFIED BY: Heather M Hodges, Ambassador, Department of State,
EXEC; REASON: 1.4(B), (D)
Summary
------------
¶1. (C) China's Ambassador to Ecuador, Cai Runguo, told Ambassador
January 15 that the PRC is moving forward with negotiations with
the GoE on financing various commercial projects, but that
Ecuadorian President Correa's criticisms of China's tough
negotiating position had caused some concern in Beijing. It
appears the GPRC-GoE negotiations over the $1.7 billion Coca Codo
hydro project are progressing, although it is still unclear whether
Correa will accept China's standard commercial loan conditions
(particularly access to international arbitration). Cai noted he
was confused by the GoE's efforts to strengthen ties with Iran,
asked whether Correa's frequent criticism of the U.S. was
ideological, and mentioned that China is maintaining good and
economically beneficial relations with Venezuela. Clear from Cai's
remarks and those of other Chinese officials, China believes it has
significant economic interests in Ecuador, but is moving cautiously
in talks with a GoE government that it does not seem to fully
trust. End Summary.
Correa's Comments Disconcerting
---------------------------------------------
¶2. (C) Chinese Ambassador Cai Runguo called on the Ambassador in
her office on January 15, at Ambassador Cai's request. Ambassador
Cai was accompanied by his political officer, Tiefei Xu. Embassy
DCM also sat in. Ambassador Cai expressed interest in a range of
U.S.-Ecuadorian bilateral issues, as well as Obama administration
policy towards Latin America, but was open to discussing Chinese
issues in Ecuador and Venezuela.
¶3. (C) Ambassador Cai indicated that China was disconcerted by
Correa's verbal attack in December 2009 over China's negotiating
position for loans to Ecuador, in which Correa alleged that even
the IMF had not treated Ecuador as poorly as did China (Ref A).
According to local press reports, Ecuadorian Finance Minister
Viteri traveled to China in mid-January 2010 to negotiate various
credits with the PRC government. Cai confirmed that
Chinese-Ecuadorian loan/investment agreements were proceeding, but
argued that China was "substantially" maintaining insistence on the
guarantees that Correa found objectionable and had complained about
publicly during his December remarks. Later in the conversation
Cai also expressed China's unhappiness with Ecuador's continued
maintenance of safeguard tariffs, and concern over when they would
be lowered.
¶4. (C) The focus at the moment is a 1.7 billion dollar loan from
China's export-import bank to construct the Coca-Codo Sinclair
hydroelectric project. If terms can be agreed on that loan, Cai
said there is another one billion dollar loan from China's
development bank, for projects yet to be defined. As part of the
arrangement, the GoE has designated the Chinese firm Sinohydro as
the chief contractor on the Coca-Codo project. China's agreements
stipulate bilateral negotiations first in the event of disputes,
but then provide recourse to international arbitration. China is
"still negotiating" this clause with Ecuador. (Ecuador's new
constitution bars the GoE from entering into contracts that include
international arbitration, and the GoE has publicly announced its
intention to terminate most of its Bilateral Investment Treaties,
including with the U.S., mainly because they allow dispute
settlement via international arbitration mechanisms.)
¶5. (C) Ambassador Cai said that Correa does not seem to understand
that China is negotiating "commercial deals" with Ecuador, similar
to deals with other countries, and that China would not want to set
a concessionary precedent for other countries. In general, Cai
said Correa wants Chinese investment in Ecuador, in petroleum,
mining, telecommunications and infrastructure. China is "studying
the investment situation." Ecuadorian Press quoted Finance
Minister Viteri on January 13, from China, stating that the GoE had
signed a memorandum of understanding on a loan from China's
Export-Import Bank to finance Coca-Codo. Although she acknowledged
that talks were still ongoing, GoE sources commented that the MOU
represented the end of the difficult phase of the talks.
Interest in Exploiting Yasuni ITT oil reserves
--------------------------------------------- -------------
¶6. (C) Prompted by the Ambassador's query, Cai stated that "all"
petroleum companies were interested in developing the Yasuni-ITT
petroleum field if conservation initiatives fell through. (See
Refs B and C for background on Yasuni ITT and the recent political
crisis it caused in Ecuador, including the resignation of Foreign
Minister Falconi.) Cai mentioned that Russia was interested in
Block 31 in Ecuador, which is in the Yasuni National Park and next
to the ITT block. (PetroBras previously held the Block 31
concession but returned it to the GoE.) According to local press
reports, PetroEcuador consulted with foreign oil companies,
including Chinese oil company SINOPEC, on the possible exploitation
of Yasuni ITT as recently as 2008.
¶7. (C) The Ecuadorian government had also solicited Chinese
involvement in building the Refinery of the Pacific, a joint
initiative of Venezuelan President Chavez and Correa. However,
Ambassador Cai pointed out that if Chavez goes from power, would a
subsequent government continue with crude deliveries? If
Yasuni-ITT were developed, Cai seemed to believe that could change
the calculus for the Pacific Refinery. (Ecuadorian press report
that the South Korean company SK Group is slated to build the $12.5
billion refinery, and that Deutsche Bank and China's Export-Import
Bank are considering providing up to $5 billion in financing
between them.)
Skepticism over GoE Interest in Developing Manta as Aviation Hub
--------------------------------------------- ----------------------
---------------------
¶8. (C) Ambassador Cai said that Correa had twice asked China to
look at investing in Manta (site of the former-U.S. Forward
Operating Location) as a transportation node, but Cai said that
Chinese companies were neither interested nor experienced in such
an overseas project. Cai evinced skepticism over Correa's concept
of a Manta-to-Manaus transportation link. When Cai suggested
Russia might be interested in Manta after Correa's Russia trip, the
Ambassador noted that Russian ambassador Yan Burliay had told her
that Russia's interest in Manta at this point was merely as an
aviation stop for airplanes picking up flowers at Latacunga in the
mountains, then proceeding to Manta on the coast to load shrimp and
bananas.
Ecuador's Relationship with Iran and the U.S.; China's Growing
Relationship with Venezuela
--------------------------------------------- ----------------------
--------------------------------------------- ---------
¶9. (C) Ambassador Cai asked what the U.S. thought of Ecuadorian
relations with Iran; what was the benefit to Ecuador? He said he
had asked this of the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry, which replied
that "various economic projects" were the benefit. The Ambassador
noted our principal concern was Ecuador's budding relationship with
an Iranian Bank that had been designated by the USG for
facilitating proliferation of WMD.
¶10. (C) Ambassador Cai said that China's relations with Venezuela
were good, citing a joint development fund with two-thirds Chinese
capital. The fund originally was for $8 billion, but after Chavez
requested a doubling, was raised to $12 billion. Credits from the
fund are guaranteed by petroleum.
¶11. (C) Cai asked whether Correa's frequent criticism of the U.S.
stemmed from ideology, and the Ambassador answered, yes.
Ambassador Cai nodded and said, "but he is different from Chavez."
He opined that Correa has substantial support in Ecuador but
appears to be losing the middle class.
China's Rapidly Increasing Commercial and Investment Ties with
Ecuador
--------------------------------------------- ----------------------
------------------------------
¶12. (C) China has already shown itself willing to make large deals
in Ecuador (as it also appears to be doing in other oil-producing
states in the region, particularly Venezuela). In July 2009, the
two countries announced a four-year oil sales deal, under which
China providing a $1 billion advance payment. The terms of the
deal reportedly favored China. Ecuadorian press reported that
during the November 2009 visit of Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the
Chinese People's Political Consultative conference (CPPCC) national
Committee, the two countries announced the signing of three
cooperation agreements, including an arrangement to buy Chinese
military planes for Ecuador's Air Force. This was on top of the
January 2009 $60 million deal to purchase an air defense radar
system from the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation.
During his visit, Jia reportedly emphasized the benefits that China
sees in enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries.
He encouraged Chinese companies to increase commercial and
investment ties with Ecuador, noting that Chinese investment in
Ecuador had reached $2.2 billion and also that two-way trade in
2008 was almost $2.5 billion, 50% above 2007 levels.
Comment
-------------
¶13. (C) Faced with a $3-4 billion (or higher) fiscal deficit in
2010, and with no ability to print money or issue debt, and no
intention of returning to the IMF or World Bank, the GoE is
desperate to find large-scale financing from non-traditional
sources. Its efforts to date with Russia and Iran have been a
bust, but China has proven a more willing, if demanding, source of
both financing and investment. Successful conclusion of the Coca
Codo talks would further increase the importance of China to
Ecuador. However, faced with the often counterproductive public
comments of President Correa and a complex investment climate
resulting from the new constitution and apparent GoE ambivalence
about attracting foreign investment, the GPRC is moving cautiously
and making sure to negotiate terms favorable to China.
HODGES
=======================CABLE ENDS============================