COLOMBIAN PEACE PROCESS: URGENT REQUEST FOR

UNCLAS BOGOTA 009790 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PGOV PREL CO OAS SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN PEACE PROCESS: URGENT REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FOREIGN SUPPORT ¶1. (U) This is an action request (see para 6). ¶2. (U) The Government of Colombia (GoC) is currently leading an unprecedented peace process with the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). More than 18,000 former combatants have laid down their arms since the beginning of the Uribe administration and an additional 10,000 are expected to demobilize by the end of this year. The Organization of American States (OAS) is playing a vital role in monitoring ceasefire agreements and verifying the demobilization and re-incorporation processes. This critical role has provided international credibility to the process. ¶3. (U) However, the OAS operation's costs have been higher than anticipated - averaging about USD 225,000 monthly - and funding ran out last month. Additional funding is not expected until January 2006. To maintain the disarmament verification process during this critical period, USAID Colombia has provided interim support of about USD 540,000 to last through December 31. This is in addition to the US-contributed portion of the funds directly supplied by the OAS. ¶4. (U) To date, several donor countries have pledged and/or distributed the following contributions in support of the OAS Colombian Mission: Bahamas: USD 15,000 for telephone service. Ireland: USD 150,000 for vehicles and associated maintenance. Netherlands: USD 1,000,000 for community projects, conflict mitigation, and OAS cease fire verification. South Korea: A commitment to donate additional vehicles. Sweden: USD 175,000 for personnel and OAS cease fire verification. US: USD 585,000 for OAS monitoring and verification of the demobilization and reincorporation process, plus USD 540,000 interim support discussed in para 3 above. ===================== Total: USD 2,465,000. ¶5. (U) Colombia itself has allocated USD 1,275,000 for community projects and OAS cease fire verification. OAS efforts to date to find other international donors have not been successful. ¶6. (U) Action requested: Embassy Bogota requests the Department develop a strategy to encourage other potential donor states to contribute to the OAS verification mission immediately. WOOD