Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BOGOTA1457
2005-02-15 19:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
INPUT FOR S TESTIMONY ON COLOMBIAN DEMOBILIZATION
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS BOGOTA 001457
SIPDIS
FOR S, P, H AND WHA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV CO
SUBJECT: INPUT FOR S TESTIMONY ON COLOMBIAN DEMOBILIZATION
LAW
MADAME SECRETARY: We understand that you will be testifying
before Congress on the budget on February 16. Knowing
Congressional interest in the paramilitary demobilizations in
Colombia, and following Marc Grossman's visit to Colombia on
February 14, we offer the following Q&As. The Colombian
Congress will begin deliberations on the law in a special
session beginning February 15.
Question 1
--------------
What is your assessment of progress on the Colombian
demobilization law?
Answer 1
--------------
We recently received a letter from a number of Senators on
the Colombian demobilization law. I want to assure them and
you that we take this issue very seriously. Our embassy has
had extensive discussions about it. Under Secretary Grossman
was in Colombia on February 14 and raised the demobilization
law with President Uribe, as well as with Senator Pardo, who
has led a group drafting an alternative to the government
bill.
Grossman made clear that the drafting and approval of the law
was a matter for Colombians. But, as a friend of Colombia,
he also stressed the importance the U.S. places on a strong
law that provides for peace with justice and that effectively
serves to dismantle the paramilitaries, and the ELN and FARC
if they ever declare a cease-fire and begin a peace process.
President Uribe reaffirmed his commitment to achieve a law
that meets these criteria before the end of June. Senator
Pardo said that the government had already accepted 80
percent of his group's suggestions and that, although a few
issues remained to be solved, he looked forward to the formal
debate in the Colombian Congress that would begin on February
15. Grossman stressed the advantages of a joint
Government-Pardo group text and urged that the remaining
differences be resolved.
Question 2
--------------
What do you mean by a law that reflects the need for peace
with justice?
Answer 2
--------------
We have made clear our hope that the law will provide for:
(1) disclosure of past criminal or terrorist activities, a
key step toward national reconciliation; (2) punishment for
all those responsible for serious crimes; (3) dismantlement
of these narco-terrorist organizations through seizure of
property, and individual and collective reparations; (4)
transparency; and (5) government monitoring and control to
ensure that those demobilized do not return to crime. We
also have emphasized that the law should contain nothing that
could prejudice Colombia's excellent cooperation on
extraditions.
WOOD
SIPDIS
FOR S, P, H AND WHA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV CO
SUBJECT: INPUT FOR S TESTIMONY ON COLOMBIAN DEMOBILIZATION
LAW
MADAME SECRETARY: We understand that you will be testifying
before Congress on the budget on February 16. Knowing
Congressional interest in the paramilitary demobilizations in
Colombia, and following Marc Grossman's visit to Colombia on
February 14, we offer the following Q&As. The Colombian
Congress will begin deliberations on the law in a special
session beginning February 15.
Question 1
--------------
What is your assessment of progress on the Colombian
demobilization law?
Answer 1
--------------
We recently received a letter from a number of Senators on
the Colombian demobilization law. I want to assure them and
you that we take this issue very seriously. Our embassy has
had extensive discussions about it. Under Secretary Grossman
was in Colombia on February 14 and raised the demobilization
law with President Uribe, as well as with Senator Pardo, who
has led a group drafting an alternative to the government
bill.
Grossman made clear that the drafting and approval of the law
was a matter for Colombians. But, as a friend of Colombia,
he also stressed the importance the U.S. places on a strong
law that provides for peace with justice and that effectively
serves to dismantle the paramilitaries, and the ELN and FARC
if they ever declare a cease-fire and begin a peace process.
President Uribe reaffirmed his commitment to achieve a law
that meets these criteria before the end of June. Senator
Pardo said that the government had already accepted 80
percent of his group's suggestions and that, although a few
issues remained to be solved, he looked forward to the formal
debate in the Colombian Congress that would begin on February
15. Grossman stressed the advantages of a joint
Government-Pardo group text and urged that the remaining
differences be resolved.
Question 2
--------------
What do you mean by a law that reflects the need for peace
with justice?
Answer 2
--------------
We have made clear our hope that the law will provide for:
(1) disclosure of past criminal or terrorist activities, a
key step toward national reconciliation; (2) punishment for
all those responsible for serious crimes; (3) dismantlement
of these narco-terrorist organizations through seizure of
property, and individual and collective reparations; (4)
transparency; and (5) government monitoring and control to
ensure that those demobilized do not return to crime. We
also have emphasized that the law should contain nothing that
could prejudice Colombia's excellent cooperation on
extraditions.
WOOD