CONGRESSMAN DIAZ BALART'S BOGOTA VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 004238 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2014 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR PREL SNAR CO CODEL SUBJECT: CONGRESSMAN DIAZ BALART'S BOGOTA VISIT Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM B. WOOD, REASONS 1.4 (B) and (D) CONFIDENTIAL SIPDIS -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) Begin Summary. Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart visited Colombia April 12-14. He received two awards from the Colombian Congress; both were presented for the Congressman,s efforts on behalf of Colombians in the U.S. Diaz-Balart met with President Uribe and senior GOC officials. End Summary. -------------- President Uribe -------------- ¶2. (U) Diaz-Balart noted that his constituents and those of President Uribe in Florida were the same. Uribe said he would be hold a &town hall8 meeting (similar to weekly meetings held around Colombia) in Florida in the second half of the year. Diaz-Balart recommended Uribe push for inclusion of immigration legislation in FTA negotiations. He also recommended the GOC implement a consular document (matricula consular) similar to Mexico. Uribe thanked Diaz-Balart and the USG for Plan Colombia support. 3.(C) Uribe expressed concern regarding Venezuela. Senate President German Vargas lamented that the Venezuelan opposition is weak and divided. Ambassador Wood stressed the importance of multilateral efforts to press for the referendum to take place. Uribe welcomed the visit of President Toledo to Colombia (septel) and praised Toledo for facilitating excellent bilateral cooperation. He expressed surprise with Toledo,s poor domestic approval, noting that Peru,s economic indicators were strong. -------------- Meeting with the MOD -------------- 4.(C) Minister of Defense (MOD) Jorge Alberto Uribe told Diaz-Balart that over the last forty years, Colombians had become accustomed to violence. Towns without police and the inability to safely travel highways was common. However, over the last year and a half, Colombia has turned a corner, and USG assistance has been a vital part of this change; police have been installed in every municipality and mayors increasingly govern from their towns, rather than from a distance. The previous Easter week, the highways were packed. Min. Uribe thanked the USG for continued commitment to Colombia, and expressed hope that USG assistance would continue at the same level. Min. Uribe pointed out that contrary to prevailing international perception, Colombia funds approximately 87 percent of its military programs, and desires to be self-sufficient. 5.(C) MOD Uribe said that a priority is to build the military capabilities required to operate effectively in remote jungle and border areas. Currently, Colombia is approximately twenty years behind in these capabilities. He used the Air Bridge Denial (ABD) program as an example of successful capacity-building. Since August, when ABD was reinstituted, the GOC has interdicted at least thirty planes. 6.(C) To illustrate the challenge Colombia faces combating illegal armed groups, Min. Uribe pointed out that southeastern Colombia is about one and one-half times the size of Iraq. Although jungle terrain limits mobility, public security forces continue to push into these regions, reclaiming historically hostile territory. To really hold the terrain security forces are being stationed in the field, rather than in towns. Alluding to the recent spate of friendly fire incidents by public security forces, Uribe indicated that, given the high number of operations, it is impossible to avoid tragic mistakes, despite best efforts. Uribe asserted that he is addressing this problem. 7.(C) Min. Uribe said that Colombia,s biggest problem is narcotrafficking, which is exceptionally difficult to control along the Brazilian and Venezuelan borders. Uribe said that the GOC,s eradication program is safeguarded with strict controls. No spray operation takes place without explicit authorization. -------------- Activities At the Colombian Congress -------------- 8.(U) Diaz Balart addressed both chambers of Congress on April 13. He spoke of helping immigrants in the U.S., and assisting allied nations like Colombia preserve democracy and strengthen their national security. He lauded Colombian legislators for upholding democracy, welcomed their role in the peace process, and support for Plan Colombia. Diaz-Balart also had an informal lunch with twelve senators in which Venezuela, US-Colombia FTA, and general public security issues were disused. He reaffirmed that Colombia has made great strides in the areas of security, anti-terrorism, and counter-narcotics. WOOD