FARC INTERLOCUTOR SAYS HUMANITARIAN EXCHANGE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 001666 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2015 TAGS: KJUS PGOV PREL PTER CO SUBJECT: FARC INTERLOCUTOR SAYS HUMANITARIAN EXCHANGE DIALOGUE MORE LIKELY AFTER ELECTION Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Milton K. Drucker. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Communist Party leader and FARC interlocutor Carlos Lozano told Embassy officials February 21 that the prospect of an humanitarian exchange dialogue between the GOC and the FARC will improve after the May presidential elections. He believes the recent death of a FARC hostage in southern Colombia highlighted to the insurgents the political cost of holding hostages and will likely push both sides to discuss a humanitarian exchange. Lozano was less optimistic about peace talks between the GOC and the FARC. END SUMMARY. -------------- -------------- PROSPECTS FOR PRE-ELECTION HUMANITARIAN EXCHANGE DIM -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Lozano discussed the obstacles to a near-term meeting between the FARC and the international commission. France, Spain, and Switzerland are still interested in meeting with the FARC, but the French are particularly adamant that Bogota be advised before any meeting takes place, a condition the FARC has refused to accept. While the French assured FARC interlocutors that none of the logistical details of such a meeting would be revealed, the FARC fears the location of their key players could be exposed. FARC interlocutors cited the arrest of Southern Bloc finance officer "Sonia" and an attack against Secretariat member Raul Reyes*both of which they claim occurred on the heels of meetings between FARC leaders and politicians and religious leaders*as examples to support their concerns. ¶3. (C) Lozano said French Foreign Minister Phillipe Douste-Blazy pulled him aside during a January 26 breakfast meeting to solicit his help in breaking this impasse with the FARC. The foreign minister requested Lozano convey three points to his FARC interlocutors: -- France, Spain, and Switzerland are still interested in meeting with FARC leadership; -- France would like proof-of-life for the hostages; -- France would like a gesture of political will from the FARC. (Lozano said the French felt they had made every effort to move the process forward, and had not seen a similar effort from the FARC.) ¶4. (C) Lozano in early February met with a FARC representative to convey these points. While the representative lacked the authority to respond officially he reiterated the FARC,s demand for a secret meeting with the Europeans, rejecting France,s request that Bogota be notified beforehand. He said the FARC was in the process of acquiring proof-of-life for the hostages, but that the exact form of proof-of-life would vary according to the location of the hostages. Lozano said the interlocutor made no comment regarding the possibility of a FARC demonstration of political will, but Lozano encouraged him to think about what they might want in exchange for the hostages. ¶5. (C) Lozano expects the FARC will offer a small demonstration of political will before the election, particularly in light of Guevara,s death. Whatever action the FARC undertakes would be something neutral that Uribe could not use to his political advantage. Lozano mentioned that Guevara,s family wants his remains returned to them, and while this would be a near-impossible feat, the FARC could attempt to do this as a gesture of good will. Lozano also believes that proof-of-life, particularly of hostages for whom no proof-of-life has been revealed recently, may be in the offing. Lozano also voiced the possibility of a very small hostage release, most likely of sick government security forces. Lozano cited an unnamed military hostage who has a tumor as a good candidate. Lozano doubts Ingrid Betancourt would be released because French attention to her situation has made her a very valuable hostage for the FARC. -------------- -------------- GROWING HOSTAGE BURDEN LIKELY TO PROMPT DIALOGUE OVER TIME -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Lozano said the political dimension the humanitarian exchange has taken is an impediment to further progress before the election. The FARC is highly unlikely to undertake any action that could strengthen Uribe and has hardened its line against a humanitarian exchange or peace talks as a result. However, Lozano believes the FARC will be compelled to talk to whichever president is elected as a result of the growing political costs of holding hostages. Lozano assessed Guevara,s death in captivity as painting the FARC in a more negative light. As time passes, the likelihood that a hostage will fall terminally ill or suffer an accident increases and places the FARC in a worse position politically. Lozano also believes that once the election has passed, foreign and domestic social pressure on both the FARC and the GOC could prompt them to move forward on an exchange agreement. ¶7. (C) While the prospects for a humanitarian exchange may improve after the election, Lozano did not hold out much hope for peace talks. He viewed the February 21 FARC communiqu demanding the demilitarization of Caqueta and Putumayo for peace talks as a rhetorical piece and a demand that no government could ever accept. DRUCKER