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