A/S TAYLOR MEETING WITH PRESIDENT URIBE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 012434

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2014
TAGS: PREL, ASEC, PGOV, KJUS, PTER, PHUM, CO
SUBJECT: A/S TAYLOR MEETING WITH PRESIDENT URIBE

Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).

1. (U) November 30, 2004, 5:00-5:30 p.m., Presidential
Palace, Bogota.

2. (U) Participants:

U.S.
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A/S Francis X. Taylor
Ambassador William B. Wood
Pamela Fierst, Special Assistant (DS)
Mark Hunter, RSO
Craig Conway, POL (notetaker)

Colombia
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President Alvaro Uribe
Jaime Giron Duarte, MFA Vice Minister for Multilateral
Affairs (Acting FM)
Francisco Gonzalez, MFA Americas Division (notetaker)

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Summary
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3. (S) A/S Taylor and Ambassador Wood called on President
Uribe on November 30. Uribe expressed gratitude for
President Bush's clear statement of support during his
November 22 visit to Cartagena. Taylor congratulated Uribe
on the GOC's successes in improving security throughout the
country. Uribe acknowledged his tendency to disregard the
advice of his protective detail, but noted his
hands-in-the-crowd approach is essential to maintain public
confidence in Government institutions. Taylor thanked Uribe
for facilitating the strong cooperation of GOC intelligence,
military and police with the Embassy and effectively
balancing a strong security policy with improved respect for
human rights. Uribe expressed his deep commitment to
bringing the three U.S. hostages home safely. Uribe promised
the GOC would not make any decision on the extradition of
high-ranking paramilitary leaders without first consulting
the U.S. End Summary.

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U.S. Support Plays Key Role
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4. (C) President Uribe expressed appreciation for U.S.
support, noting that many of the achievements of his
administration are the direct result of U.S. assistance. A/S
Taylor congratulated Uribe on the GOC's success in reducing
kidnappings and violent crime and stressed the USG's
commitment to continue supporting the GOC. Uribe expressed
his personal gratitude for President Bush's public statement
of support during his November 22 visit to Cartagena, which
sent a clear message to illegal armed groups that there is no
alternative to committing to a sincere peace process.
Colombia is at a critical juncture and the success of pending
large-scale paramilitary demobilizations will play a key
role. Uribe stressed his personal commitment to protect
citizens and enhance the state's presence, particularly in
areas where paramilitary groups demobilize. Taylor commented
on the importance of turning demobilized fighters into
productive citizens.

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VIP Protection and Anti-Kidnapping Training
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5. (S) Uribe stated that U.S. training and equipping of his
protection detail -- along with those of Vice-President
Santos and MOD Uribe -- has been excellent. Noting Uribe's
hands-in-the-crowd approach to politics, Taylor cautioned
that passage of re-election legislation increases the odds
that Uribe will be the target of a terrorist assassination
attempt. Uribe acknowledged his tendency to disregard his
protection detail's security protocols is "not good news" for
his staff, but clarified he is not motivated by personal
vanity, but committed to making a direct connection with the
people in order to maintain the public's confidence in
Colombia's democratic institutions. Taylor noted the
importance of striking a balance between security and public
contact and reminded Uribe that a successful assassination
attempt would be far more damaging to the public's
confidence.
6. (C) Taylor congratulated Uribe on the GOC's success in
building on USG training for the GOC's anti-kidnapping units
(GAULAs),pointing to concrete results in reducing the number
of kidnappings. He promised continued U.S. support for the
GOC's efforts. Uribe replied that preventing kidnappings is
a top GOC priority.

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Information Sharing
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7. (C) Taylor noted that cooperation between the Embassy and
the GOC's intelligence, military, and police agencies has
been nearly flawless. Information sharing between the
Embassy and the GOC eliminates second-guessing in Washington
and helps U.S. policymakers understand the intricacies of the
situation on the ground. Uribe said that U.S. and European
understandings of Colombia's unique situation continue to
improve and noted improvements in relationships with some
NGOs, particularly Human Rights Watch.

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Security and Human Rights
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8. (C) Uribe confirmed his commitment to build an effective
and transparent security policy. Taylor responded that a
good counterterrorism policy supports a good human rights
policy. Taylor congratulated Uribe for successfully
implementing an effective security policy that has improved
respect for human rights. Uribe noted that the number of
human rights complaints received by the GOC has declined
steadily and that the public continues to press for increased
state and military presence to fight illegal armed groups
throughout the country. While Uribe acknowledged that many
problems remain, he reiterated his intent to work hard to
solve them.

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U.S. Hostages
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9. (S) Taylor thanked Uribe for the remarkable level of
cooperation and transparency in the effort to locate the
three U.S. hostages and noted that continued cooperation is
essential to securing their freedom. Uribe said he was
deeply committed to bring the three hostages home, as well as
freeing any Colombian citizens who might be held in the same
location. Ambassador noted that communications with the MOD
and General Ospina could not be better and applauded Uribe's
commitment to include the U.S. hostages in any humanitarian
exchange.

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Extradition
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10. (C) Uribe stressed his commitment to continue
extraditions to the U.S. and to process extradition requests
as quickly as possible. He noted the importance of complete
coordination and promised the GOC would not make any decision
on the extraditions of high-level paramilitary leaders
without first consulting the USG.

11. (U) This cable has been cleared by A/S Taylor.
WOOD