Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08QUITO225, ECONOMIC IMPACT OF RAINS AND FLOODING TOPS $125 MILLION

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.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

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. #08QUITO225.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08QUITO225 2008-03-06 20:10 2011-05-02 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Quito
VZCZCXYZ0121
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHQT #0225/01 0662010
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 062010Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY QUITO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8592
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 7409
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 2933
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAR LIMA 2455
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL 3375
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
UNCLAS QUITO 000225 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
TREASURY FOR MEWENS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON EAGR EFIN EAID ELTN SENV SOCI EC
SUBJECT: ECONOMIC IMPACT OF RAINS AND FLOODING TOPS $125 MILLION 
 
REF: A) QUITO 160  B) QUITO 210 
 
1.  (U) Summary:  Following a month of heavy rains in 
Ecuador, agricultural losses due to extensive flooding now total 
nearly $91 million.  Repairing roads will likely cost more than $35 
million.  The Ecuadorian and U.S. weather services estimate the 
rains will continue through at least mid-March, which could add to 
the losses.  End summary. 
 
2.  (U) Rain fell nearly continuously throughout February in much of 
Ecuador, causing extensive coastal flooding and landslides in the 
Sierra, particularly in the southern highlands (reftel A). 
President Correa has declared a state of disaster in ten of 
Ecuador's 22 provinces (approximately 25% of the country), and the 
government is reviewing major infrastructure damage in at least 
fifteen provinces.  The rice crop has been particularly affected, 
with 28,000 hectares lost.  The Ministry of Transport and Public 
Works estimates that 1700 kilometers of roads have been damaged and 
six bridges have been destroyed, while clean-up efforts to move 
mudslides and sewage overflow have been difficult due to continuing 
rain. 
 
AGRICULTURE TAKES HITS ON THE COAST, ALSO IN SIERRA 
 
3.  (U) The Ministry of Agriculture estimates that over 100,000 
hectares of crops throughout Ecuador have been damaged or lost by 
the flooding, including rice, corn, bananas/plantain, coffee, sugar 
cane, soy and cacao along the coast.  Almost 69,000 hectares of 
shrimp and tilapia farms are a total loss.  In the highlands, beans, 
potatoes, tomatoes and peppers have been lost.  So far there is no 
shortfall of rice, and prices have remained stable.  The Ministry 
has said that most crops affected by the floods are for export and 
will not affect prices in the Ecuadorian market.  Still, the 
Ministry's Planning Director has warned that if the rain continues 
through March and another 10-15 thousand hectares are lost, it could 
cause a rice shortage, thereby affecting prices.  During the last 
week of February Agriculture Minister Walter Poveda announced 
contingency plans to import 40,000 tons of rice, possibly from the 
United States. 
 
4.  (U) The Government of Ecuador has announced it will channel $38 
million in funds through the Ministry to aid to small farmers (those 
cultivating less than 30 hectares), who have been hit the hardest. 
 
 
5.  (U) The USG has provided nearly $800 thousand of confirmed and 
pending USG disaster assistance, principally for the flooding, but 
also for a volcanic eruption (the Tungurahua volcano has been active 
since late December).  Press coverage has been positive, and 
informal requests for help from working level contacts have been 
numerous. 
 
CONCERN OVER AGRICULTURAL LOANS 
 
6.  (U) In early March the press reported that bank loans to the 
agricultural sector are worth over $600 million.  Banks are nervous 
based on their experience in 1998, when crops ruined by El Nino 
eventually caused default on agricultural loans, contributing to the 
banking crisis of 1999.  The Ministry of Agriculture is working with 
government-owned National Development Bank (Banco Nacional de 
Fomento) and the National Financial Corporation (Corporacion 
Financiera Nacional) to restructure loans to small producers, 
issuing credits at 5-7% interest based on a formula that reflects 
losses due to the flooding. 
 
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE 
 
7.  (U) Already dealing with road damage due to eruptions of the 
Tungurahua volcano, the Ministry of Transport's Office of Highway 
Maintenance has inventoried damage to 43 highways (1700 km), 
particularly in rural areas, due either to flooding or, at higher 
elevations, to mudslides.    At least six bridges have been lost and 
the Ministry is currently making efforts to replace them with 
pre-fabricated steel panel bridges. 
 
8.  (U) The Ministry estimates it will need approximately $35 
million in coming weeks to continue with clean up efforts of 
collapsed roads and hillsides, sewer repair and the dredging of 
ditches.  The Ministry has expressed frustration at not being able 
to begin many repair efforts due to high water levels. 
 
9.  (U) In addition to the damaged roads, one landslide broke 
Petroecuador's primary petroleum pipeline (reftel B), but was 
quickly repaired. 
 
AN "ATYPICAL" LA NINA 
 
10.  (U) Carlos Lugo, Director of Ecuador's national weather 
service, INAMHI (Instituto Nacional de Meterologia en Hydrologia), 
calls Ecuador's current weather patterns "an atypical" La Nina, 
meaning that while La Nina (which happens when sea surface 
temperatures are lower than normal) has been active in the eastern 
Pacific since last fall, the current ferocity of continuous rain and 
cold temperatures is unlike what has been previously witnessed. 
 
11.  (U) In addition, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) has told post that in recent weeks (February 
15 to March 1), ocean surface temperatures have been anomalously 
HIGH between the coast of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, 
creating unstable conditions that will likely result in heavy rains 
through at least mid-March.  NOAA expects these warm temperatures to 
continue for the near future. 
 
COMMENT 
 
12.  (SBU) The final cost of damage will depend on how long current 
weather patterns persist.  While rains abated in the last week of 
February, they have returned with a vengeance on the coast, with 
damaging floods in the southern coastal towns of Huaquillas and 
Machala, and the first street flooding of the year in Guayaquil.  If 
rains continue as forecasted, Ecuador is quite likely to need 
further assistance as flooding continues and public health 
implications become more serious. 
 
13.  (SBU) The agricultural losses and repair costs -- which may 
grow above current estimates -- are significant for an economy that 
was already growing slowly and has a number of other pressing 
investment needs.  We anticipate that the price of agricultural 
products -- rice, in particular -- may rise by the end of March. 
Post will continue to monitor the impact of the flooding on trade, 
employment and overall growth. 
 
BROWN