Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BOGOTA4612
2006-05-24 21:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
MOD OSPINA EXPRESSES DETERMINATION TO MAKE FURTHER
how-toVZCZCXYZ0036 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHBO #4612 1442130 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 242130Z MAY 06 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5227 INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 7743 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAY LIMA 3789 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 4431 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1350 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUCNDTA/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1826 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP ADMIN// RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 004612
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR CO
SUBJECT: MOD OSPINA EXPRESSES DETERMINATION TO MAKE FURTHER
PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood
Reasons: 1.4(a),(b),(d)
-------
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 004612
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR CO
SUBJECT: MOD OSPINA EXPRESSES DETERMINATION TO MAKE FURTHER
PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood
Reasons: 1.4(a),(b),(d)
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Minister of Defense (MOD) Camilo Ospina asked to see
the Ambassador on May 22 to discuss his determination to
ensure further progress by the COLMIL in the field of human
rights. This followed an April 22 working meeting with the
MOD and military high command during which the Ambassador
pressed hard for more improvements and a genuine
transformation of the COLMIL human rights culture, to dispel
any doubt regarding its commitment to the promotion and
protection of human rights. Ospina invited the Ambassador to
see COLMIL progress in the field and discussed his intention
to show a more transparent approach to the press and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to better explain what
the COLMIL has been doing. End Summary.
--------------
Ospina Keen to Prove Progress
--------------
2. (C) Ospina stressed that he and his team have taken
charge of the issue and were eager to prove it. The MOD said
he could do little about past incidents, such as at Mapiripan
in 1997, beyond pressing for the conclusion of judicial
proceedings. However, he was determined to resolve more
recent cases such as those involving the peace community of
San Jose de Apartado, on which the GOC had been working hard.
He invited the Ambassador and/or members of Congress to
visit the community in person with him, house by house if
necessary, to demonstrate that the situation has improved.
The Ambassador said he would be glad to accompany the MOD on
a visit.
--------------
Orientation to Press and NGOs
--------------
3. (C) The Ambassador proposed a more proactive and open
approach to the press and NGOs, two principal critics of the
COLMIL's performance. He suggested that ongoing indigenous
disturbances in the southeast (Cauca & Narino departments)
were an opportunity to make contact and provide COLMIL
perspective early in the news cycle. He stressed that the
human rights issue will only become more important in the
first year of the next administration as paramilitary
demobilization progresses. The Ambassador emphasized,
however, that this was more than a matter of improving the
COLMIL's image; the objective was to resolve any real
underlying doubts about the COLMIL's human rights
performance. The MOD agreed.
4. (C) The MoD admitted that the military justice system was
in need of dramatic reform and stated his intention of firing
General Puentes, who has been in charge of the effort. "Good
man, but he isn't getting it done," said Ospina. The
Ambassador noted that the military justice system needs to be
improved so that it cooperates more effectively with the
civilian justice system, which has overall responsibility for
human rights cases, including those involving the military.
--------------
Comment
--------------
5. (C) The Ambassador's strong comments to the MOD and
entire high command on April 22 that they had to do better
struck a nerve. We understand there was some pushback from
within the COLMIL high command, who were disappointed the MOD
did not immediately rise to their defense in response to the
Ambassador's criticism.
WOOD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR CO
SUBJECT: MOD OSPINA EXPRESSES DETERMINATION TO MAKE FURTHER
PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood
Reasons: 1.4(a),(b),(d)
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. (C) Minister of Defense (MOD) Camilo Ospina asked to see
the Ambassador on May 22 to discuss his determination to
ensure further progress by the COLMIL in the field of human
rights. This followed an April 22 working meeting with the
MOD and military high command during which the Ambassador
pressed hard for more improvements and a genuine
transformation of the COLMIL human rights culture, to dispel
any doubt regarding its commitment to the promotion and
protection of human rights. Ospina invited the Ambassador to
see COLMIL progress in the field and discussed his intention
to show a more transparent approach to the press and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to better explain what
the COLMIL has been doing. End Summary.
--------------
Ospina Keen to Prove Progress
--------------
2. (C) Ospina stressed that he and his team have taken
charge of the issue and were eager to prove it. The MOD said
he could do little about past incidents, such as at Mapiripan
in 1997, beyond pressing for the conclusion of judicial
proceedings. However, he was determined to resolve more
recent cases such as those involving the peace community of
San Jose de Apartado, on which the GOC had been working hard.
He invited the Ambassador and/or members of Congress to
visit the community in person with him, house by house if
necessary, to demonstrate that the situation has improved.
The Ambassador said he would be glad to accompany the MOD on
a visit.
--------------
Orientation to Press and NGOs
--------------
3. (C) The Ambassador proposed a more proactive and open
approach to the press and NGOs, two principal critics of the
COLMIL's performance. He suggested that ongoing indigenous
disturbances in the southeast (Cauca & Narino departments)
were an opportunity to make contact and provide COLMIL
perspective early in the news cycle. He stressed that the
human rights issue will only become more important in the
first year of the next administration as paramilitary
demobilization progresses. The Ambassador emphasized,
however, that this was more than a matter of improving the
COLMIL's image; the objective was to resolve any real
underlying doubts about the COLMIL's human rights
performance. The MOD agreed.
4. (C) The MoD admitted that the military justice system was
in need of dramatic reform and stated his intention of firing
General Puentes, who has been in charge of the effort. "Good
man, but he isn't getting it done," said Ospina. The
Ambassador noted that the military justice system needs to be
improved so that it cooperates more effectively with the
civilian justice system, which has overall responsibility for
human rights cases, including those involving the military.
--------------
Comment
--------------
5. (C) The Ambassador's strong comments to the MOD and
entire high command on April 22 that they had to do better
struck a nerve. We understand there was some pushback from
within the COLMIL high command, who were disappointed the MOD
did not immediately rise to their defense in response to the
Ambassador's criticism.
WOOD