CARAMAGNA POSITIVE ON OAS VERIFICATION MISSION'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 010164

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2015
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PREL PTER CO OAS
SUBJECT: CARAMAGNA POSITIVE ON OAS VERIFICATION MISSION'S
FUTURE ROLE

Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood.
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) WHA/AND Director Phil French met with Organization of
American States (OAS) Verification Mission Director Sergio
Caramagna on October 21 to discuss financial and political
support for the mission. Caramagna explained that a lack of
resources had limited the mission's capacity to assist the
peace process. Nevertheless, the region is finally beginning
to back Colombia with increased political and personnel
support; he hoped that financial contributions would follow.
Despite the recent setbacks in negotiations between the GOC
and AUC leaders he believes, the fact that the leaders are
still sitting at the negotiating table is positive. End
Summary.

--------------
PROGRESS IN COLOMBIA APPARENT
--------------


2. (SBU) WHA/AND Director French and OAS Verification Mission
Director Caramagna during their meeting on October 21 agreed
that Colombia has made significant progress on various fronts
over the last decade. Caramagna's impression was that
Colombia's institutional capacity is one of the strongest in
the region. The GOC's determination to fight against
illegality is the result of its major security advancements.
According to Caramagna, its ability, thus far, to demobilize
over 11,000 illegal combatants is notable and contributing to
the decrease in crime in the country. The GOC's commitment
to the AUC peace process at the highest levels of government
is strong and impressive.

--------------
BACKGROUND ON THE OAS VERIFICATION MISSION
--------------


3. (SBU) Caramagna explained that the OAS received a mandate
to provide assistance to a peace process of a magnitude
unprecedented in the region. To accomplish that mandate, the
OAS was given three principal tasks: 1) to verify the
cessation of hostilities; 2) to verify disarmament; and 3) to
work with communities affected by the violence.
Nevertheless, because of lack of resources, the OAS is
struggling to fulfill all its commitments. The total staff
of the mission is 42, with only 20 in the field. With only
four staff members in the area of Santa Fe de Ralito, for
example, the mission is assisting 60 communities. Active in
eight conflict areas now, Caramagna said the mission will
have to at least double its personnel to provide effective
coverage throughout the country.

--------------
EFFORTS TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR THE MISSION
--------------


4. (SBU) Caramagna was eager to report that the region is
finally showing its support to Colombia. He said the region
is beginning to realize that the conflict belongs to the
entire continent. Several countries are experiencing similar
problems of governability associated with the legitimacy of
the State. Caramagna said it is critical for the OAS to
obtain internal consensus among its members that Colombia
should be a priority and that Latin America should not wait
for external assistance from the Europeans and others to
begin bringing peace to the region.


5. (C) Caramagna noted that the mission has received in
recent weeks support from Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and the
Bahamas. Bahamas, support during the permanent council
meeting on Colombia's peace process in October was symbolic
but important. In particular, Mexico was willing to send
"experts". Other countries that have offered support outside
the region, besides the United States and Canada, include
Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, and Korea. WHA/AND Director
French explained that Colombia faces the "chicken and the
egg" dilemma, which is that countries are unwilling to
support the mission until they see progress, but the
mission's progress is harder to achieve without increased
support.

--------------
READ-OUT ON STATE OF GOC/AUC NEGOTIATIONS
--------------


6. (C) As the GOC attempted to negotiate the demobilization
with the most difficult paramilitary blocs, the transfer of
Diego Murillo, AKA "Don Berna" to a high-security prison was
damaging paramilitary confidence in the process, Caramagna
said. Despite the recent setbacks in negotiations between
the GOC and AUC leaders, the fact that the leaders are still
sitting at the negotiating table should be interpreted as a
sign that talks would continue to move forward. He warned,
however, that the paramilitaries, fear over extradition and
jail time will continue to be obstacles.

7. (U) This cable has been cleared by WHA/AND office director
French.
WOOD