Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BOGOTA10157
2005-10-28 15:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:  

UNHCR REPS CAUGHT IN FARC ATTACK ON VILLAGE IN

Tags:  PGOV PREF PINS CO UN 
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O 281524Z OCT 05
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9201
INFO USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 010157 


DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/AND AND PRM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREF PINS CO UN
SUBJECT: UNHCR REPS CAUGHT IN FARC ATTACK ON VILLAGE IN
PUTUMAYO

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 010157


DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/AND AND PRM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREF PINS CO UN
SUBJECT: UNHCR REPS CAUGHT IN FARC ATTACK ON VILLAGE IN
PUTUMAYO

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


1. (C) UNHCR officials were caught in the crossfire of a
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) attack on a
remote village in southern Putumayo Department near the
Ecuador border October 23-24. UNHCR reps (none of whom were
injured) were participating in a joint effort with the GoC to
register internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other
residents for national identity cards. UNHCR Resident
Representative Roberto Meier said the FARC clearly knew UNHCR
was present in the village yet launched the attack that
lasted for nearly 14 hours. Meier said he is reevaluating
UNHCR,s presence in Putumayo Department and may close the
office there and stop field missions to the area.


2. (U) A UNHCR field rep, volunteer, driver and a
representative from the Colombian Government,s national
registry office traveled to a small town outside of San
Miguel, Putumayo October 23 to provide national identity
cards to IDPs and other residents. Many IDPs have lost or
never had national identity cards that are required to apply
for GoC assistance. UNHCR reps notified local authorities in
advance of their visit by fax and radio (in accordance with
established security procedures),and had been on the ground
for five hours before the FARC attacked. Seven police and
two civilians were killed, and nine were injured in the
attack that lasted from 1430 on October 23 to 0400 on October

24. The police station and over 20 houses were destroyed as
a result of the gas cylinder bombs launched by the FARC. The
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will provide
emergency assistance to residents affected by the attacks.


3. (C) Meier said the FARC knew UNHCR was present in the town
yet launched the attack anyway. The FARC has crossed a
redline with UNHCR and Meier will reevaluate UNHCR,s
operations and field missions in Putumayo and other areas
with significant FARC presence. The attack was the first
serious security problem the UN has had in Colombia since the
FARC kidnaped Meta governor Alan Jara who was riding in a UN
vehicle with the UN Development Program director and other
government officials in July 2001.

WOOD