REP BALLENGER RECEIVES ORDER OF SAN CARLOS MEDAL

UNCLAS BOGOTA 011422

SIPDIS

WHA FOR MIELE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID CO CODEL
SUBJECT: REP BALLENGER RECEIVES ORDER OF SAN CARLOS MEDAL
FROM GOC



1. On October 27, President Uribe presented Representative
Cass Ballenger with the Order of San Carlos medal and thanked
him for his long-standing support. On the margins of the
ceremony, Ballanger told Uribe about his trip to the USAID
alternative development projects in Putumayo Department and
praised Uribe for his progress in two years. Ballenger
suggested that the GOC consider working with USAID to
construct a road to connect the Putumayo lumber producers
with customers. He pledged to remain engaged in the
international coffee cooperation and other Colombian issues
after his retirement from the Congress.

2 (U) Begin unofficial translation of the GOC award:

Decree 2582 of August 12, 2004
Which confers the Medal of the "Order of San Carlos"

The President of the Republic of Colombia
By the authority invested upon him and particularly that
conferred by decrees 2397 of 1954, 3363 of 1980 and 1220 of
2001 and

Whereas:

The Government of Colombia has instituted the Order of St.
Carlos to honor and extol Colombian and foreign nationals who
have distinguished themselves for their outstanding services
to the country, especially in the field of international
relations.

The Honorable Congressman Cass Ballenger (R-NC),member of
the Foreign Relations Committee, is visiting our country as a
token of his continuous interest for the social and political
well-being of our country.

During the exercise of his legislative duties, the Honorable
Representative Cass Ballenger has given tangible proof of
support to the initiatives of the Government of Colombia in
his quest for the country's highest interests, through key
cooperation programs developed within the framework of Plan
Colombia, aimed at securing the safety of all Colombians, the
promotion of human rights and social investment;

As a Congressman, the Honorable Cass Ballenger has taken up
the defense of democratic values, which foundations lay on
the respect for the state of law and the strengthening of
institutions and political stability. These foundations are
shared by the Government of Colombia in application of the
policy of democratic security.

The Honorable Cass Ballenger has crystallized his solidarity
with the country in critical events such as the earthquakes,
which hit the coffee region in 1999, and has supported
important social programs ) such as PLANTE ) which promote
the development of alternative crops in conflict areas.

The Government of Colombia wishes to grant recognition and
exalt the virtues of the Honorable Congressman Cass
Ballenger:

Decrees:

Article one: That the Medal of San Carlos, in the grade of
the Great Cross, is conferred to the Honorable Cass
Ballenger, Congressman of the United States of America.

Article two: This decree becomes effective as of the date of
issue.

Given at Bogota, on August 12, 2004

/s/

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolina Barco

End text.


3. (U) Comment: The decree was dated August 12 because it was
drafted and approved for an earlier Ballenger visit postponed
for health reasons. End comment.
DRUCKER