PRESIDENTIAL COUNSELOR LOZANO MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 006953

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2015
TAGS: PREL KJUS PGOV PHUM PTER CO
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL COUNSELOR LOZANO MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR

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


1. (C) On July 22, the Ambassador reiterated to Presidential
Chief of Staff Juan Lozano the warning he had given to other
GOC officials about the need to demonstrate GOC seriousness
about implementing the Justice and Peace Law within the
coming weeks. The Ambassador urged the government to make an
example out of a major AUC criminal, such as cease-fire
violator "Don Berna," by bringing down the full weight of the
law on him. Alternatively, the GOC could close the
concentration zone in Santa Fe de Ralito and put all AUC
commanders in jail while they were being investigated and
awaiting a reduced sentence. Without some kind of clear and
immediate assurance that the GOC was serious about holding
paramilitaries accountable for their crimes, the Ambassador
warned critics and skeptics would claim their predictions of
impunity were correct.


2. (C) Lozano agreed that implementation and interagency
coordination was key. He had already held planning sessions
with the Vice President, Peace Commissioner, Prosecutor
General, and other officials who would have a lead in
implementation. President Uribe's cabinet meeting on July 25
would be devoted entirely to preparing for the Justice and
Peace Law. Lozano noted that the GOC had been trying to find
a suitable candidate to serve as "Demobilization Czar" to
implement the law in an objective, independent manner. He
agreed with the Ambassador that the candidate needed to be a
skilled administrator with significant political weight and,
ideally, not closely associated with the Uribe
administration.

WOOD