POLICE ASSUME CONTROL OF RALITO; PARAMILITARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 008291

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PTER SNAR CO
SUBJECT: POLICE ASSUME CONTROL OF RALITO; PARAMILITARY
BLOC'S SECURITY RING DEMOBILIZES


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

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) Emboffs attended demobilization in Santa Fe de Ralito
on August 25-26 and witnessed Colombian police taking over
from some 300 demobilized paramilitaries, who has been the
"security force" there. The police presence remains thin but
should expand in the coming weeks. There were two principal
changes in the latest demobilization: prosecutors did not
conduct open statements or "version libre" on the spot for
the 782 pardon (a good thing.); and military identification
cards were not issued. GOC representatives said the recent
changes responded to NGO's and international community
concerns and in part were made to save money. End Summary.

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DEMOBILIZATION RESULTS
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2. (U) Emboffs traveled to Santa Fe de Ralito on August 25 to
witness the demobilization of three hundred combatants who
served as AUC security forces for the special negotiation
zone (zona de negociacion): 208 members of the AUC's Pacific
Bloc, 62 members of the Vanquishers of Arauca Bloc, 18
members of the Centauros Bloc, and 12 of the Liberators of
the South Bloc. As of August 27, the total number of
paramilitaries demobilized collectively has reached 9,246.
The Pacific and Vanquishers of Arauca blocs' commanders also
demobilized: Francisco Javier Zuluaga Lindo, ("Gordo Lindo")
and Miguel Angel Melchor Mejia Munera, alias ("El Mellizo" or
"Pablo Arauca").

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POLICE FORCES TAKE OVER AREA
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3. (C) After one year of paramilitary control over the zone,
police took over all law enforcement functions after August

27. Although Emboffs observed a limited police presence
during the demobilization (approximately 15-20),GOC
officials said they planed to add 40 more police in the
coming weeks. One representative from the High Commissioner
for Peace's office noted that the closing of the zone --
slated for December 31 -- would be gradual. Former
combatants will remain in the zone until Justice and Peace
law mechanisms are established.

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POSTPONING 'VERSION LIBRE' AND OTHER PROCESSES
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4. (C) GOC officials outlined several changes they had made
to the demobilization process in response to criticism from
civil society, NGOs, and the international community. GOC
reforms also attempt to reduce costs. In particular, the GOC
decided to postpone "version libre" of the former combatants
who qualify for 782 treatment and instead have the Prosecutor
General's Office (Fiscalia) conduct them in the Reference and
Orientation Center (CRO). In meetings with CRO staff, they
agreed that such a move would be welcomed by the demobilized
since it could lead to more confidential confessions and they
are likely to feel more secure at the CRO (the Embassy had
urged this change.) Military identification cards, which
exempt adult males from military service, were not issued on
site -- although demobilization IDs were issued as usual.

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VISITS TO MONTERIA
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5. (U) The CRO in Monteria is responsible for informing,
registering, tracking and monitoring demobilized combatants
in the Departments of Cordoba and Sucre. It serves
approximately 1,800 former combatants, making it the largest
such center. The center is able to carry out its mandate
successfully since the area has traditionally been a
paramilitary stronghold. Other CROs, located in areas with
more guerrilla presence, including Medellin, Cali, Cucuta,
Turbo, and Sincelejo have faced some reluctance from
demobilized fighters. CRO staff claimed it initially had
been difficult to gain the confidence of demobilized
paramilitaries, but former combatants appeared to be growing
increasingly comfortable with the CRO and visited the center
frequently. The CRO staff said that the demobilized would be
less likely to go to a judicial center instead of a CRO to
meet with a prosecutor to submit their "version libre."


6. (U) On August 26, Emboffs attended a workshop on
post-demobilization reintegration led by the Galan
Corporation. Galan spearheads efforts to promote civic
involvement from community leaders and demobilized
paramilitaries to facilitate reintegration. Over 100
participants returned to a second module to discuss ways to
improve the reinsertion process and create programs that may
assist in regaining the acceptance of their local
communities.
WOOD