AMBASSADOR COMMENTS ON DEMOBILIZATION LAW

UNCLAS BOGOTA 003248 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER SNAR KJUS PREL CO SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR COMMENTS ON DEMOBILIZATION LAW REF: BOGOTA 03223 ¶1. (U) On April 7, the Ambassador was quoted in Colombia's leading daily newspaper El Tiempo about the Law for Justice and Peace. He said, "the Law for Peace and Justice is a matter for the Colombian Congress to decide. As we have said in the past, it is crucial that the Congress adopt a law quickly that enjoys broad support in Colombia and internationally. We hope that the law provides for peace with justice, effectively dismantles all illegal armed groups, and lays the basis for the future through reparations and full disclosure. We also hope that the law will reinforce our very successful bilateral cooperation in extraditing narcotraffickers." ¶2. (U) The Ambassador issued the statement as the First Committees in the Colombian Congress begin tackling the most relevant articles of the draft law. See reftel for details on the status of the draft bill in the House and Senate First Committees. WOOD