Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BOGOTA9790
2005-10-17 15:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
COLOMBIAN PEACE PROCESS: URGENT REQUEST FOR
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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
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
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