COLOMBIAN AIRLINER HIJACKED; NEGOTIATIONS ONGOING

UNCLAS BOGOTA 008571

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PTER CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN AIRLINER HIJACKED; NEGOTIATIONS ONGOING


1. Summary. A Colombian airliner operated by Aires was
hijacked today en route to Bogota from Florencia, in Caqueta
Department. The twenty passengers included four U.S.
contractors ) one American, two Colombians, and one
Peruvian. Two Colombian Congressmen are also on board. Upon
landing at Catam military airport in Bogota, the hijackers
immediately released five female passengers, two children,
and two female flight attendants. After negotiations with
the GOC, the hijackers released additional passengers,
including the four U.S. contractors. At 1600 Bogota time the
two Congressmen are the only remaining hostages being held on
the plane. The hijackers are believed to be father and son,
and are reported to have two grenades and a bomb. They have
not stated an affiliation with any terrorist organization,
and reports indicate they may be former paramilitaries upset
with treatment by the National Police. End summary.


2. An Aires flight en route to Bogota from Florencia, Caqueta
Department, was hijacked this morning by two men, believed to
be father and son. One of the men boarded the plane using a
wheelchair, although it is not known if he is actually
disabled or if the wheelchair was used to bring the weapons
on board. The hijackers began negotiating with the GOC
before landing at Catam military airport in Bogota. Carlos
Franco, from the Vice President's Office of Human Rights, is
the GOC's lead negotiator. The hijackers also requested to
meet with a priest and a member of the Colombian Fiscalia,
who are currently on board the plane. President Uribe has
returned from meetings in Cali, and Minister of Defense
Ospina and General Lesmez of the Air Force are currently at
Catam. The two Colombian Congressmen, Luis Antonio Serrano
and Reinaldo Duque, are believed to be the only remaining
hostages on the plane.


3. Embassy has been monitoring the situation and is in close
contact with the GOC. The Emergency Action Committee was
convened (results to be reported septel),and representatives
from DEA, LEGATT, and American Citizen Services are at the
airport. Embassy officials have been in contact with Embassy
Peru, and have spoken with high-level Colombian Ministry of
Defense officials to reinforce that the plane cannot leave
the ground again according to international conventions. The
plan remains barricaded at the military airport.


4. The four U.S. Dyncorp hostages were released unharmed at
Catam airport. They are currently being escorted back to the
Embassy for de-brief by RSO.


5. Post will continue to monitor the situation and will
report as details become available.
DRUCKER