Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BOGOTA6508
2005-07-12 11:22:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:  

NEW MOD CAMILO OSPINA DISCUSSES BILATERAL

Tags:  PGOV MARR MOPS PHUM PINR CO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 006508 

SIPDIS

NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2015
TAGS: PGOV MARR MOPS PHUM PINR CO
SUBJECT: NEW MOD CAMILO OSPINA DISCUSSES BILATERAL
RELATIONSHIP

REF: AMB WOOD E-MAIL JUL8 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood; reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)

-------
Summary
-------

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 006508

SIPDIS

NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2015
TAGS: PGOV MARR MOPS PHUM PINR CO
SUBJECT: NEW MOD CAMILO OSPINA DISCUSSES BILATERAL
RELATIONSHIP

REF: AMB WOOD E-MAIL JUL8 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood; reasons 1.4
(b) and (d)

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) On July 9, the newly-appointed Minister of Defense
Camilo Ospina visited the Ambassador to discuss bilateral
military cooperation. They discussed a range of issues
including human rights, high value targets, funding for
military assistance, and the Justice and Peace Law. Ospina
stated that capturing high value targets and reforming the
military justice system by December were his top priorities
as minister. He agreed that human rights improvements were
critical for ongoing bilateral cooperation. End summary.


2. (C) Camilo Ospina, the new Minister of National Defense
(MOD) paid a visit to the Ambassador, DCM, and Emboffs from
Political, the Defense Attache Office, and Military Group on
July 9 to discuss bilateral military assistance and "receive
a briefing on his new job." Following the long-awaited
resignation of Jorge Uribe as Minister of Defense on July 8,
Ospina was selected to assume control over military and
police policy and to leave his position as Presidential Legal
Advisor. This is Ospina's first ministerial position. He
told the Ambassador that he did not intend to change the
personnel who were working successfully at the ministry.
Ospina is a close confidant of President Uribe and a favorite
contact and problem solver for the embassy.

-------------- --------------
Military Justice Reform and Human Rights Improvements
-------------- --------------


3. (C) The Ambassador underscored the importance of military
justice reform and human rights improvements. He told Ospina
that military justice had to become reliable and have
trustworthy investigative and prosecutorial capabilities. He
raised the Cajamarca case as an example, which implicated
seven Army officials in the murder of six civilians, yet was
still pending resolution fifteen months later. Ospina agreed
and vowed to complete reforms by December. He stated that he

either had to fix military justice by the end of the year or
temporarily turn it over to the Prosecutor General's Office
(Fiscalia).


4. (C) Respect for human rights and accurate military justice
are cornerstones for our bilateral military cooperation,
stressed the Ambassador. He also stressed the importance,
and binding nature, of the vetting process. He requested
Ospina's help in continuing to improve the Colombian
military's (COLMIL) respect for human rights, starting with
military justice reform and human rights certification.
Ospina confirmed that human rights would be a key issue for
him during his tenure.

--------------
High Value Targets
--------------


5. (S) Ospina expressed concerns about the terrorist groups'
capabilities in Colombia and asserted that capturing a
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) Secretariat
member was his highest priority as Minister. He asked to be
notified directly if the Embassy noticed specific COLMIL
shortcomings that allowed high value targets (HVTs) to evade
authorities. He requested an assessment on FARC
communications and COLMIL communication capabilities. Ospina
underscored the need for a successful HVT mission soon, both
to undermine FARC morale and to offset FARC actions in the
run-up to elections.

--------------
Implementing Justice and Peace Law
--------------


6. (C) The Ambassador insisted that the Justice and Peace
Law, once signed by President Uribe, be used to prosecute
paramilitary criminals currently in Rialito. The law should
be implemented in such a way that beneficiaries would begin
their prison terms within the next month and serve several
years in prison for their crimes. Ospina agreed and reported
that President Uribe planned to sign the law on July 20.
Ospina added that he was willing to travel to Washington DC
sometime the week of July 11 to discuss the law with U.S.
officials.
--------------
COLMIL Capabilities
--------------


7. (C) Ospina specifically asked about the COLMIL's
capabilities to combat landmines, to secure replacement parts
on aircraft, and to maintain bilateral cooperation funding
levels. The Milgroup Commander and Defense Attache responded
that countermining teams were well trained and equipped, but
that the increase in plastic landmines had made detection
more difficult. Parts for Blackhawk helicopters were in
short supply, but the majority of Colombian helicopters would
be serviceable since the COLMIL had mostly UH-1s. The
Ambassador said Colombia was a high priority for U.S.
military assistance and that funding had remained constant
over the last four years and would probably continue. The
Ambassador and the MilGrp Commander stressed the importance
of joint training, logistics, and equipment maintenance.
Further, they emphasized recent COLMIL/U.S. initiatives to
reduce redundant training and maintenance programs across
services.

--------------
Comment
--------------


8. (C) In his capacity as Presidential Legal Advisor, Ospina
has been a close, good friend of the embassy and one of the
President's problem solvers. He will be in a good position
now to focus on HVTs and human rights issues, especially
military justice reform. Ospina's limited English will
change the way we deal with visitors.
WOOD