Cablegate: Ecuador Committed to Fighting Tip

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

UNCLAS QUITO 001273

SIPDIS

CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE
HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHDC IMMEDIATE

STATE FOR WHA/PPC, WHA/AND, AND G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KWMN PHUM PREL SMIG EC
SUBJECT: ECUADOR COMMITTED TO FIGHTING TIP

REF: A. STATE 102360
B. QUITO 1256

1. Summary: We delivered reftel talking points and the
suggested trafficking in persons (TIP) action plan to the MOG
and MFA on June 2, explaining the urgency of significant
action to combat TIP in the next 60 days. MOG officials are
reviewing the anti-TIP law Congress passed on June 1 and will
work diligently to implement it. MFA officials pledged to
continue working with other ministries to encourage progress.
We will continue to press Ecuador to prosecute traffickers,
train police and prosecutors, assist victims, and raise the
public profile of this important issue. End Summary.

MOG and MFA Committed to Fighting TIP
-------------------------------------

2. On June 2, PolChief delivered reftel talking points and
suggested action items to MOG advisor Darwin Delgado and TIP
POC. Delgado said his office is analyzing the TIP law
Congress passed on June 1, and will meet with women's groups
before deciding whether to recommend the President sign the
law. PolChief expressed the urgency of implementation of the
law to make arrests within the next 60 days.

3. PolChief and PolOff discussed the TIP report with the MFA
Human Rights Director Carmen Larrea on June 2. Larrea
expressed concern about trafficking and the consequences of a
Tier 3 designation. Larrea said she was a personal friend of
Minister of Government Mauricio Gandara and would urge the
MOG for anti-TIP actions. PolOff emphasized the need for
significant law enforcement actions using the new legislation
within 60 days and explained the need for progress on various
fronts elaborated in the action plan.

4. Comment: MOG and MFA officials, and President Palacio
himself (ref B), have uniformly expressed understanding of
the Tier III designation and commitment to make progress in
the near future. Our immediate goal is to ensure the GOE
carries out law enforcement actions using the law, and helps
victims. We will work closely with the GOE and other key
players to encourage progress over the next 60 days. With
many other priorities competing for the new government's
attention, the road ahead will be challenging.
Kenney

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