BILATERAL WORKING GROUP JOINT STATEMENT

UNCLAS BOGOTA 004628

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PREL PTER MOPS CO
SUBJECT: BILATERAL WORKING GROUP JOINT STATEMENT



1. (U) On May 4 to 5, a U.S. delegation led by Under
Secretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith held a

SIPDIS
Bilateral Working Group with Colombian military and
government officials in Cartagena. During the conference,
U/S Feith and Defense Minister Jorge Alberto Uribe signed a
joint statement (original text will be pouched to the
Department).

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Joint Statement
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2. (U) Begin text:

4 May 2005

Joint Statement

Delegations representing the Government of the United States
of America and the Republic of Colombia met in Cartagena,
Colombia, from May 4-5, 2005, to participate in the Fifth
Bilateral Working Group meeting.

The discussions were very cordial and productive. The
members of the respective delegations are indicated on the
attached lists.

The delegations, recognizing the effective cooperation
between our two countries, agreed that this partnership can
be reinforced and developed in various areas of security and
defense; aware of the significant contribution which this
cooperation could make towards overall security; affirmed
their commitment to improve bilateral relations between the
two countries.

It is the intent of the two delegations that representatives
from the Republic of Colombia as well as from the United
States of America will meet to improve defense relations
between the two countries.

For the Delegation of the United States of America: signed
Douglas Feith

For the Delegation of the Republic of Colombia: signed Jorge
Alberto Uribe

End text.


WOOD