AMBASSADOR AND ICRC DISCUSS U.S. HOSTAGES, ACCESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 004608

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA, CA, PRM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2026
TAGS: PGOV PTER KJUS CASC CO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND ICRC DISCUSS U.S. HOSTAGES, ACCESS
TO FARC MEMBERS TRINIDAD AND SONIA IN U.S.


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


1. (C) Ambassador met with International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) Head of Delegation Barbara Hintermann (strictly
protect) May 22 to discuss follow up to ICRC Juan Pedro
Schaerer's recent meetings in Washington with Under Secretary
Burns and the NSC. Hintermann said she has established
reliable contact with high level FARC Secretariat members who
have promised to provide a proof of life for all/all hostages
including the three U.S. citizens.


2. (C) Hintermann said she is personally committed to
obtaining proof of life for all of the hostages, and is
willing to pass letters from family members of the three U.S.
hostages to the FARC. She told Wood she recently contacted
FARC Secretariat member Raul Reyes by Email to pass on a
letter from the mother of a Colombian hostage (Clara Rojas,
political advisor to former presidential candidate Ingrid
Betancourt who was kidnapped in 2002). Reyes replied that he
would pass on the message. Hintermann said communication
with the FARC should be easier after the May 28 Presidential
elections and expects to meet with them in June or July.
Wood thanked Hintermann and urged her to do whatever she
could to obtain a proof of life and to facilitate
communication between the U.S. hostages and their families.


3. (C) The ICRC would like private access to FARC members
Simon Trinidad and Sonia who are awaiting trial in the U.S.
on terrorism and narcotrafficking charges. Hintermann
explained that ICRC made the request as it does commonly with
all detainees registered by the organization who are
transferred to another country. Essentially, the ICRC wants
to be able to have unmonitored conversations; they can be
flexible about the presence of penal authorities in the room,
out of earshot. Such visits are strictly humanitarian in
nature and help ICRC remain neutral and credible in the eyes
of all parties to Colombia's armed conflict. Hintermann
asked Ambassador Wood if he would be willing to help (Embassy
supported ICRC's January 2005 request for access to
Trinidad). Wood promised to follow up with the Department on
the issue and local DoJ officials will meet with Hintermann
on the request.
WOOD