GOC ORDERED TO COMPENSATE FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF

UNCLAS BOGOTA 005327 SIPDIS GENEVA FOR JEFF DELAURENTIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM MARR MASS PTER PINR PREL CO SUBJECT: GOC ORDERED TO COMPENSATE FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF SANTO DOMINGO BOMBING ¶1. On May 25, the Administrative Tribunal of Arauca department ordered the Government of Colombia to pay 2 billion pesos (approximately USD 770,000) to the families of 17 persons killed in an Air Force bombing of the village of Santo Domingo, Arauca department, in December 1998. The Tribunal ruled against compensating the family of an 18th alleged victim because of insufficient proof that the individual died in the bombing. Fifty-five relatives of the 17 confirmed victims will be compensated monetarily, the amount depending on how each relative was affected by the bombing. Wilson Arcila, president of the tribunal, said the decision was based on evidence (including an FBI report) that the pilot of the helicopter allegedly responsible for the bombing authorized the attack despite knowing civilians were present in the village. ¶2. The decision in the civil case comes five months after the Prosecutor General's Office ("Fiscalia") charged the helicopter pilot, co-pilot, and navigator with involuntary manslaughter. The three now face trial in civilian court. Embassy will continue to monitor progress in the criminal case and inquire about the impact of the administrative tribunal's ruling. WOOD