AUC LEADERS SEEK DEAL ON EXTRADITION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 010390

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2015
TAGS: KJUS PTER PREL PGOV CO
SUBJECT: AUC LEADERS SEEK DEAL ON EXTRADITION

REF: BOGOTA 9089

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


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SUMMARY
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1. (C) Peace Commissioner Restrepo, para-friendly Senator
Moreno de Caro, OAS Verification Chief Caramagna and National
Commission on Reparations and Reconciliation member Jaime
Jaramillo have all passed messages to the Ambassador
suggesting that paramilitary leaders want to cut deals on
extradition. The messages suggest reduced sentences in
return for alleged full disclosure of their narcotrafficking,
and in some cases they propose serving reduced sentences in
Europe if the U.S. will not agree. In all cases, the
Ambassador made clear that no deal was possible with
fugitives. End Summary.

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RESTREPO: AUC LEADERS' INTEREST IN EXTRADITION DEAL
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2. (C) Peace Commissioner Restrepo on September 22 (reftel)
told the Ambassador that AUC leaders, in particular Salvatore
Mancuso, want to speak to the USG regarding options on
extradition and serving some limited jail time in the United
States in exchange for information on the AUC's structure and
operations, drug routes, and corrupt GOC officials. Restrepo
emphasized that his message should not be interpreted as
reflecting a weakening in the GOC's commitment to
extradition. However, it came at a time when the
paramilitaries had suspended demobilizations, with 8,000 more
to go.

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SENATOR MORENO DE CARO FOLLOWS SUIT
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3. (C) Senator Carlos Moreno de Caro, a regular paramilitary
interlocutor, met the Ambassador on October 10 to deliver a
similar message. Like Restrepo, he stressed the difficult
situation of Mancuso. Moreno stated that AUC leaders are
very concerned with extradition, a concern that only
heightened following "Don Berna's" transfer to Combita high
security prison, which many paramilitary leaders are
convinced is the waiting room for extradition to the U.S.
Moreno de Caro met with the Spanish Embassy, in an
unsuccessful attempt to try to broker a transfer of Mancuso,
and perhaps others, for reduced jail time there.

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CARAMAGNA UNCOMFORTABLE IN DELIVERING SIMILAR MESSAGE
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4. (C) OAS Verification Mission Director Sergio Caramagna met
with the Ambassador October 11 to deliver the same message,
but admitted he was not comfortable doing so. He said he had
heard in various settings from Mancuso and other AUC leaders'
of their interest in negotiating a deal with the USG.
Caramagna was taken aback, in particular, with Mancuso's
change of demeanor over the last year, and especially in
recent weeks. He described Mancuso as "powerless and
disoriented, a destroyed man." He noted that Mancuso and
some of the other leaders were now prepared to spend time in
jail under the terms of the Justice and Peace law, which was
not the case when they began negotiating with the GOC a year
ago. They are "panicked" by the prospect of extradition to
the U.S. In Mancuso's view, said Caramagna, extradition
could become the obstacle to the successful conclusion of the
demobilization process. He said he was informing the U.S. on
this matter because of his concern about demobilizations
getting back on track as soon as possible.


5. (C) Caramagna also confirmed that Restrepo has affirmed in
clear terms to AUC leaders that they could fully comply with
the J&P law and still be extradited for their crimes before
becoming paramilitaries.

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CNRR MEMBER DELIVERS MESSAGE FROM MANCUSO
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6. (C) National Commission for Reparations and Reconciliation
member Jaime Jaramillo delivered a similar message from
Mancuso to deputy political counselor on November 2.
According to Jaramillo, Mancuso is willing to serve his
sentence under the Justice and Peace law in the U.S. He does
not want to be treated "like the Shining Path, in a cage or a
cave." Mancuso told Jaramillo that he would be safer in the
U.S. and believes that other AUC beneficiaries of the Justice
and Peace law would be interested in U.S. jail time as well.
Jaramillo said Mancuso is aware that he could face additional
U.S. charges but he was looking for a plea bargain.
D/polcouns reiterated that no deal was possible with
fugitives from U.S. justice.

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AUC PETITION TO SERVE SENTENCES ABROAD
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7. (C) In the last few weeks, AUC spokespersons have stated
that after being convicted in Colombia, they would like to
serve their time outside of the country, possibly in Europe.
AUC leaders, especially, see no opportunities for them in
Colombia and claim their lives would be in danger from fellow
AUC and FARC members.
WOOD