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