AMBASSADOR'S COMMENTS TO THE AMERICAN BUSINESS

UNCLAS BOGOTA 003827

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PHUM KJUS ECON ETRD CO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S COMMENTS TO THE AMERICAN BUSINESS
COUNCIL



1. (U) On April 14, the Ambassador gave the following
informal comment to the American Business Council of
Colombia.


2. (SBU) Text:

I asked Jaime for an opportunity to speak to you today
because I believe something important is happening right now
that affects all of Colombia, including the US companies
based here.

The Colombian Congress is moving forward on the Peace and
Justice Law. Although the debate is still in progress,
Colombia is close to a decision on how it will deal with
illegal armed groups. To date, more than 6,000 people have
demobilized as individuals, and more than 5,000 people have
demobilized in blocks. This means that 12,000 fewer people
are out there threatening your factories, transportation
routes, and employees. That's 12,000 fewer people causing
your interest rates to rise. That's 12,000 fewer people
diverting national resources to defense, law enforcement, and
aid to victims. And there will be more.

I don't know what the final draft of the law will include.
The law has benefited from a full and open debate, both at
the national and international levels. I have confidence
that although what will emerge may not satisfy everyone, it
will provide a basis for demobilization, disarmament,
monitoring, reintegration, and reparations.

The key is in the implementation. If the beneficiaries,
after paying their debt to society in terms of the law, are
not accepted back into society or feel rejected, they will
give up. And, a very high percentage of those who give up
will return to their former activities. Activities that have
resulted in great harm to Colombia, including enormous
disruption of your commercial activities.

As a political analyst who has your best interests in mind,
as well as those of the U.S. and Colombia, I urge you to
consider ways in which you can employ these deserters and
demobilized. The former have run a great risk leaving the
life they were leading. The latter are reintegrating into
society with the support of their former organizations,
making it a simpler process for them.

Some of the corporations in this room have experience in
hiring former members of illegal armed groups. I believe
that they would tell you that the experience has been more
positive than they anticipated. The Embassy is contributing
to the effort in its own way, supporting OAS monitoring
efforts.

And, of course, we are ready to help all of you in any way we
can. This is hard. I'm not asking for quotas -- like having
one in 50 of your employees be an ex-combatant. But, the
private sector is known for its ability to make practical and
often difficult decisions in ways the public sector cannot.

Now is the time to put your heads together and find a way to
make it happen. I would be especially proud if American
companies could lead this national effort. Take the
challenge. I think you'll find it's worth it.

Thank you.
WOOD