MANPADS IN COLOMBIA: GOVERNMENT NO; FARC MAYBE

S E C R E T BOGOTA 007134 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA, PM, NP E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2015 TAGS: PARM MASS EAIR ETTC PTER CO FARC SUBJECT: MANPADS IN COLOMBIA: GOVERNMENT NO; FARC MAYBE REF: SECSTATE 113041 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Milton Drucker for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) The GOC has no MANPADS in its arsenal, no current intentions to purchase them, and no indigenous manufacturing capability. The FARC (formally declared a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the USG) has demonstrated intent to purchase MANPADS. Numerous unsubstantiated reports indicate that the FARC may have MANPADS and may have received some training in their use. To date, the FARC's many attacks against COLMIL and U.S. drug eradication and surveillance aircraft have not utilized MANPADS. Assuming the FARC has functioning MANPADS, theories for holding them in reserve include protection of the FARC secretariat, waiting for an opportune moment to assassinate President Uribe or attack another high value target, or incorporating them into a planned, large scale offensive. ¶2. (U) MFA Disarmament Coordinator Diana Aguilar told poloff that since the GOC has no MANPADS, they are subject neither to specific control nor regulation. She noted that the GOC had signed the International Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation and co-sponsored the U.S.-authored OAS MANPADS resolution. Aguilar said the word "missile" does not appear in Colombian arms control legislation. She reckoned that MANPADS would be treated as illegal weapons if detected and inquired regarding U.S. missile control legislation. WOOD