OAS REP ASKS ABOUT DEMOBILIZATION FUTURE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 006683

SIPDIS

H FOR W. MIELE
USAID FOR LAC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV EAID CO OAS
SUBJECT: OAS REP ASKS ABOUT DEMOBILIZATION FUTURE

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

Summary
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1. (C) On July 8, the Ambassador met with Organization of
American States (OAS) Peace Process Verification Coordinators
Sergio Caramagna and Claudia Vargas at the latters' request.
Caramagna told the Ambassador that he appreciated U.S.
Congressional support for the GOC's paramilitary peace
process thus far, and hoped support would continue with the
implementation of the new Justice and Peace law. He said the
OAS Secretary General would visit Colombia in August.
Caramagna shared his concerns about the upcoming complex
demobilization of the largest United Self-Defense Forces
(AUC) bloc ) the Central Bolivar Bloc (BCB). The Ambassador
promised ongoing political support for the OAS' verification
work and stressed the importance of a meaningful
implementation of the Justice and Peace law. End Summary.

Grateful for U.S. Support
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2. (C) OAS Peace Process Verification Coordinator Sergio
Caramagna visited the Ambassador on July 8 to provide an
update on OAS verification of the demobilization process. He
welcomed Representative Frank Wolf's support for the
Colombian peace process and the OAS mission (septel),noting
that Wolf had offered candid advice on steps needed to win
broader support in the U.S. Congress. Caramagna raised
concerns about the Senate appropriations mark up, which
outlined new certification provisions necessary for U.S.
demobilization assistance.

OAS Under New Management
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3. (C) Caramagna said the OAS, under the new leadership of
Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza, had noticeably

SIPDIS
improved. Insulza recently met with Caramagna both in
private and in a larger meeting to discuss demobilization
issues. He told Caramagna that he planned to travel to
Colombia in August to see the verification mission. Insulza
wanted the mission to be one of "his" programs, thus
elevating it and potentially improving inter-organizational
communication. He expressed concern about U.S. criticism of
the Law for Justice and Peace and suggested that the
opponents could harm the process before the law even came
into effect.

Large Demobilization Taxes OAS Resources
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4. (SBU) Caramagna expressed concerns about the upcoming
demobilization of the Central Bolivar Bloc (BCB). He said
the Bloc would be demobilizing in seven different locations,
all of which would require OAS verification teams. He
planned to redirect all verification personnel to those seven
areas, but could not confirm that he would be able to cover
the sites. The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the
OAS' efforts, but advised Caramagna that the United States
could not financially support the verification teams at this
time, because of shortage of funds at year-end. He said the
U.S. would continue to politically and publicly support the
OAS, however.

Justice and Peace Law
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5. (SBU) Caramagna raised the Justice and Peace law as a
polemic issue being discussed by the international community.
Many NGOs and others in the international community were
focused on the myth of a perfect law. Caramagna stressed
that the OAS shared the opinion that implementation was the
key to the law's success. Secretary General Insulza told
Caramagna in a private meeting hoped implementation made the
process work. Although the NGOs were seeking an OAS
condemnation of the project, the Inter-American Court was
waiting to get a comprehensive analysis of the law before
voicing an opinion.
WOOD