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