

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 10QUITO103, Ecuador Rejects FATF Decision to Place it on High-Risk List
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. #10QUITO103.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
10QUITO103 | 2010-02-25 23:07 | 2011-04-13 17:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Quito |
Appears in these articles: http://www.eluniverso.com/2011/04/12/1/1355/cable-250884.html |
VZCZCXYZ0025
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHQT #0103/01 0562307
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 252307Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY QUITO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1134
INFO RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCNFB/FBI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEANQT/FINCEN VIENNA VA IMMEDIATE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA IMMEDIATE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA IMMEDIATE
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES IMMEDIATE
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 0035
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL IMMEDIATE
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ FEB MEXICO IMMEDIATE
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW IMMEDIATE 0009
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN IMMEDIATE 0001
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME IMMEDIATE 0053
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000103
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/25
TAGS: ECON EFIN PREL PGOV KJUS KCRM KTFN PTER SNAR EC
SUBJECT: Ecuador Rejects FATF Decision to Place it on High-Risk List
REF: QUITO 101
CLASSIFIED BY: ...
id: 250884
date: 2/25/2010 23:07
refid: 10QUITO103
origin: Embassy Quito
classification: CONFIDENTIAL
destination: 10QUITO101
header:
VZCZCXYZ0025
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHQT #0103/01 0562307
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 252307Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY QUITO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1134
INFO RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCNFB/FBI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEANQT/FINCEN VIENNA VA IMMEDIATE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA IMMEDIATE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA IMMEDIATE
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES IMMEDIATE
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 0035
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL IMMEDIATE
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ FEB MEXICO IMMEDIATE
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW IMMEDIATE 0009
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN IMMEDIATE 0001
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME IMMEDIATE 0053
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO
----------------- header ends ----------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000103
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/25
TAGS: ECON EFIN PREL PGOV KJUS KCRM KTFN PTER SNAR EC
SUBJECT: Ecuador Rejects FATF Decision to Place it on High-Risk List
REF: QUITO 101
CLASSIFIED BY: Christopher A. Landberg, Economic Counselor, U.S.
Department of State, Economic Section; REASON: 1.4(B), (D)
Summary
¶1. (C) The Ecuadorian government has reacted vehemently against the
February 18 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) statement that
Ecuador has not committed sufficiently to addressing strategic
deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism
finance regime. President Correa and senior GoE officials
characterized the FATF decision as unjust, argued it ignores
Ecuador's counter narcotics achievements, and alleged it is
punishment for Ecuador's ties with Iran. On February 25, Foreign
Minister Patino questioned the legitimacy of FATF and said that
Ecuador will not ask FATF to reconsider the decision. In contrast,
Central Bank officials and private sector leaders are concerned
about possible repercussions and want to play a constructive role
in getting Ecuador off the FATF high-risk list. Based on the
initial reaction and the Rio Group's recent declaration of
solidarity with Ecuador, it appears that the GoE aims to push FATF
to reconsider the decision, while building support within the
region. End Summary.
FATF Groups Ecuador with North Korea, Ethiopia, Angola
¶2. (SBU) The FATF plenary announced on February 18 that Ecuador
(along with Angola, Ethiopia, and North Korea) had not "committed
to an action plan developed with the FATF to address key
deficiencies" in its anti-money laundering and combating the
financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime and had not "delivered a
clear high-level political commitment to address these
deficiencies" going forward, thus posing a risk to the
international financial system. It called on Ecuador to work with
the FATF and FATF-Style Regional Body GAFISUD in adequately
criminalizing money laundering and terrorism finance and addressing
other deficiencies. FATF did acknowledge that Ecuador has engaged
with FATF and GAFISUD (unlike the other three countries cited).
Correa Rejects FATF Determination
¶3. (SBU) President Correa spent much of his weekly address on
Saturday, February 20, denouncing FATF's statement. He framed the
FATF decision as an attack on Ecuador's sovereignty. While not
directly naming the United States, Correa referred to the FATF
"blacklisting" as a sign of the "arrogance of imperialism." Correa
declared that the FATF decision "has to do with the fact the
Ecuador has relations with Iran," an assertion he repeated several
times during the address.
¶4. (SBU) In a preview of what has become the GoE's party line,
Correa said that contrary to FATF's findings Ecuador has achieved
extraordinary results in combating drug trafficking (Ecuador
doubled narcotics seizures in 2009, compared to 2008). He also
stated that there was no money laundering in Ecuador, adding that
"[the imperialists] need to check where the money laundering is: in
the United States and Switzerland, but instead of checking their
own countries they condemn us."
¶5. (SBU) Correa's efforts to protest the FATF decision at the
February 23 Rio Group Summit in Cancun, Mexico, resulted in the
group releasing a public declaration of solidarity with Ecuador.
The Rio Group declaration expressed the "deep concern" of its 29
member states (including FATF members Brazil, Argentina, and
Mexico) over FATF's statement on Ecuador and decision process. The
Rio Group declaration also reinforced the GoE's party line, noting
that President Correa "totally rejected the actions of FATF," which
are "not consistent with the evident efforts and initiatives in all
areas that Ecuador has carried out to fight money laundering and
the financing of terrorist activities."
Senior Officials Follow Correa's Lead
¶6. (SBU) Coordinating Minister for Economic Policy (and Acting
Central Bank President) Diego Borja stated February 19 that FATF is
"not official, nor does it represent the members of the G-20."
Minister of Government Gustavo Jalkh, who oversees Ecuador's police
forces, publicly labeled the FATF move an "injustice" and explained
that Ecuador was a model country in the region in terms of fighting
organized crime, narcotics trafficking, and money laundering.
Jalkh stated that "terrorism" was considered an "illicit activity"
under the Penal Code, and Ecuador's money laundering legislation
addressed all illicit activities (i.e., including terrorism). Both
officials, as well as Foreign Minister Patino, also repeated
Correa's allegation that the real reason for the FATF determination
was to retaliate against Ecuador for developing a close
relationship with Iran.
¶7. (C) Finance Minister Maria Viteri forcefully rejected FATF's
designation of Ecuador as high-risk during a February 24 meeting
with EconCouns and Treasury's visiting Ecuador desk officer.
Viteri said the FATF assessment was out of date because it was
based on a 2007 GAFISUD review, did not reflect Ecuador's positive
record in prosecuting AML/CFT cases, and did not recognize
Ecuador's previous efforts in building its AML/CFT regime.
Regarding the latter, she noted that the ongoing process of passing
laws required under the new constitution had overtaken further
review of AML/CFT regulations. (Comment: Viteri's claim that
Ecuador's FATF listing was based on a 2007 report is misinformed.
Ecuador's FATF listing is the result of a 2009 review conducted by
a FATF working group staffed by officials from member countries.
The working group measured progress in Ecuador's AML/CFT regime
since 2007, and used a Mutual Review (MER) of Ecuador's AML/CFT
regime conducted by GAFISUD in 2007 as a baseline for assessing
Ecuador's progress. End Comment.)
¶8. (C) Viteri expressed concern that the FATF report had political
aims and undermined the positive international image the Correa
Administration has sought for Ecuador. She characterized as
incredulous the report's inclusion of Ecuador -- itself a "victim
of terrorism" in its northern border region -- as being soft on
terrorism. Viteri also openly questioned the efficacy of promoting
AML/CFT laws, when many countries do not enforce them.
Nevertheless, she recognized that more work may be needed to
improve Ecuador's AML/CFT regime, and noted that Foreign Minister
Patino and Solicitor General Diego Garcia Carrion will lead the
GoE's official response to FATF. EconCouns highlighted that the
FATF determination had been supported by all member countries and
encouraged the GoE to work with FATF and GAFISUD to address the
deficiency areas highlighted in the statement.
¶9. (SBU) Ecuador's National Counsel on Money Laundering (NCML), an
inter-ministerial body in charge of Ecuadoran AML/CFT policies and
headed by Solicitor General Garcia, announced it would send letters
to FATF and GAFISUD objecting to the listing. Garcia, who has been
personally engaged in GoE exchanges with FATF, has made the most
moderate comments of all GoE officials. In both his public
comments and his statements in the diplomatic note sent February 19
to the Treasury Department and all other FATF member countries, in
which he protested the FATF decision, Garcia highlighted the GoE's
commitment to complying with FATF AML/CFT recommendations and
expressly avoided linking the FATF determination to Iran. In
contrast, Foreign Minister Patino seems to be hardening his
position. He stated February 25 that the GoE "will not ask that it
[FATF] reconsider anything, since that organization does not have
the right or the authority to put Ecuador, or any other country, on
lists of any sort." He added that the 29 members of the Rio Group
had supported Ecuador's position in this matter.
Regulators and Private Sector Eschew Politics and Focus on Solving
the Problem
¶10. (C) During separate February 24 meetings with EconCouns and
TreasOff, Central Bank General Manager Christian Ruiz and private
bank association President Fernando Pozo (also General Manager of
Ecuador's largest bank, Banco Pichincha) expressed deep concerns
about the FATF characterization of Ecuador. Both highlighted the
strict controls that Ecuadorian banks have in place, arguing that
these measures met or exceeded international standards. They
worried that the determination could make it more difficult and
costly for the GoE and the private sector to access international
capital markets. Both admitted that neither institution had been
included in the GoE's past discussions with FATF and GAFISUD, and
asked for Embassy guidance on how to engage.
¶11. (C) Members of Ecuador's four American Chambers (Quito, Cuenca,
Ambato, Guayaquil) noted similar concerns during a February 24
meeting with the Ambassador and Embassy staff, and noted their
interest in supporting efforts to remove Ecuador from the current
FATF grouping. Emboffs' consistent response to all these parties
was that Ecuador needed to work with FATF and GAFISUD (and not via
individual FATF members). Emboffs also recommended they focus on
FATF's statement, which highlights the lack of political will on
Ecuador's part, implying that these institutions could play a
useful role in encouraging GoE officials to develop a more
constructive and proactive response to FATF/GAFISUD.
¶12. (C) During a February 23 meeting, Wells Fargo/Wachovia
representatives told Emboffs that they will increase scrutiny of
their clients in Ecuador, which will result in higher costs.
(Wachovia, soon to complete the full transfer to Wells Fargo, is
the largest player in cash management services in Ecuador and one
of the largest in providing trade financing). They agreed with
Central Bank/Pichincha statements that Ecuadorian banks are
committed to meeting international AML/CFT standards, and commented
that they are not as worried about the local banks as they are
about how U.S. regulatory agencies will react. They have called on
their local clients to strengthen controls and for the time being
do not have plans to reduce exposure to the market. However,
decisions going forward depend on U.S. regulators' actions and, if
costs increase significantly, reducing the size of their Ecuador
portfolio is an option (as Wachovia has done in Venezuela).
Comment
¶13. (C) Correa and his ministers' statements, combined with
Correa's successful lobbying efforts at the Rio Group Summit,
indicate that the GoE does not intend to accept the FATF judgment
without a fight. However, given that Ecuador has limited ability
to influence FATF positions, the real result of the GoE's
government wide outburst is to paint Correa into a corner. Seeing
as the President has termed the FATF statement as an attack on
Ecuador's sovereignty, and especially in light of Foreign Minister
Patino's latest hardening of Ecuador's public position, Correa
would lose face if he were now to reverse course and make a clear
political commitment to a FATF-action plan. Nevertheless, the
interest of the Central Bank and private sector actors to pursue a
more constructive path could gradually bear fruit. The question is
whether these interested parties can help the GoE move past its
initial rejection of the determination and work with FATF to
address problem areas. The FATF decision is one of the few
instances where the GoE has experienced adverse consequences as a
result of its actions (or inactions).
HODGES
=======================CABLE ENDS============================