822.01/99: Telegram
The Ambassador in Ecuador ( Scotten ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:23 p.m.]
550. The following observations and recommendations are endorsed by the entire staff, by my British, Brazilian and Belgian colleagues, and meet with the views of those prominent Ecuadorans whom I have consulted as I believe them to be impartial politically and to have given me their sincere opinions.
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My considered opinion, therefore, is that inasmuch as the revolution was not inspired by the Axis or by any foreign power and is of an entirely Ecuadoran political origin and as Velasco Ibarra, even though an illegal President, came into power with the support popularly estimated at over 90 percent of the people, it would not only do us no harm to give speedy recognition to the new government but on the contrary a prolonged delay in recognition would create an unfriendly atmosphere generally throughout Ecuador which would work against our best interests.
The future of the new government itself is uncertain as Velasco Ibarra was supported by a rather tenuous coalition which I feel will tend to split into its component parts. There will doubtless be several changes in the Cabinet as the different parties jockey for position. In the meantime, however, the government has sufficient popular support to enable it to carry out its announced intentions to fulfill its international obligations, is friendly to the United [Nations] war effort and I believe should be recognized without delay. Similar recommendations are being made to their respective governments by my British, Brazilian and Belgian colleagues.