AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH ICRC HEAD OF DELEGATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 003486

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2014
TAGS: PGOV PTER PHUM PREF CO FARC ELN AUC
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH ICRC HEAD OF DELEGATION


Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b)and
(d).1. (C)

SUMMARY: ICRC Head of Delegation Juan Pedro Schaerer
visited Ambassador on April 1 to discuss ICRC concerns that
paramilitary concentration related to demobilization would
create security vacuums and increase the risk of FARC and ELN
attacks against civilians. Schaerer also confided that ICRC
has observed increased nervousness among the FARC, ELN and
AUC in the wake of GOC security forces' successes and
observed that a larger number of detainees has not caused
significant problems in Colombian prisons. While Schaerer
lamented that the GOC has been unable to focus its efforts on
displacement issues, he agreed that the Colombian situation
does not constitute an emergency. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) On April 1, Ambassador met with ICRC Head of
Delegation Juan Pedro Schaerer to discuss his apprehensions
about GOC/paramilitary demobilization negotiations. Schaerer
agreed that concentrating demobilized forces is the only way
to accurately identify former combatants but expressed
concern about a possible increase in forced displacements and
violence against civilians by both the FARC and ELN if
Colombian security forces prove unable to fill security
vacuums left by concentrating forces. Ambassador responded
by noting that concentration is the only way to remove
ambiguity during negotiations and observed that the
capabilities of GOC security forces have improved
dramatically over the past year.


3. (C) Schaerer said ICRC has observed nervousness among
paramilitaries with whom they had met. Although some have
indicated a willingness to disarm and face punishment, the
majority worry about the possibility that the peace process
might fail, primarily because most paramilitaries do not want
to fight Colombian security forces and fear even more the
possibility of fighting a two-front war against the GOC and
the FARC and ELN. Per Schaerer, the ELN has been weakened by
the security forces' presence in all municipalities, which
undermines ELN's urban base. Schaerer also noted that
high-level FARC commanders, in the wake of the arrests of
"Simon Trinidad" and alias "Sonia," are more concerned with
their own personal security. Perhaps because senior leaders
are reluctant to take security risks, ICRC officials have
been meeting with lower ranking FARC commanders.


4. (C) On prisons, ICRC has noted an increase in the number
of detainees has not resulted in a corresponding increase in
problems related to prisoner treatment. Schaerer confided
that a higher number of complaints have been reported against
select GAULA units, but cautioned that the problems were not
systemic. Per Schaerer, although there has been an increase
in the number of paramilitaries detained, the majority have
been charged with crimes like extortion or illegal possession
of a firearm. Unlike members of the FARC and ELN, Schaerer
explained, paramilitaries cannot be charged with rebellion
because the GOC has not labeled them "subversive
organizations.". Schaerer promised to share with us any
information ICRC develops on problem units within the
security forces.


5. (C) In response to a question, Schaerer said that although
Colombia is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis, he does
not believe the overall situation constitutes an emergency.
Although the level of violence is high, Colombia's problems
cannot be equated with those of countries like Sudan and
Liberia. Schaerer lamented that the GOC has not formulated a
strategy on displaced persons that integrates the efforts of
different government ministries. He also noted that
paramilitaries constitute the greatest threat to displaced
populations, because paramilitaries have greater resources
and a stronger presence in urban areas.
WOOD