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