GOC-ELN CIVIL SOCIETY GUARANTORS REPORT NORWEGIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 005793

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV CO
SUBJECT: GOC-ELN CIVIL SOCIETY GUARANTORS REPORT NORWEGIAN
INTEREST IN ELN MEETING

REF: BOGOTA 5496

Classified By: DCM Milton K. Drucker
Reason: 1.4 (b,d)

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) GOC-ELN civil society guarantors Moritz Akerman and
Alvaro Jimenez said Norway wants a direct meeting with ELN
military commander and negotiator Antonio Garcia. Norway
would characterize to Garcia as unrealistic the ELN's
proposal that Norway finance the ELN's proposed cease-fire
and release of hostages with significant cash sums. Instead,
the Norwegians would seek ELN, GOC and international
community support for in-kind contributions to the ELN during
a cease-fire. The guarantors said Peace Commissioner Luis
Carlos Restrepo would approve the Norway-ELN meeting if the
ELN sought his permission and said its purpose was to discuss
cease-fire and hostage release issues. End summary.

--------------
Norwegians Skeptical of ELN Finance Proposal
--------------


2. (C) Akerman told us on June 27 that during recent
meetings in Oslo, Norwegian MFA representative Johan Vibe
expressed Norway's interest in playing a positive role in
GOC-ELN peace talks, but was not sympathetic to the ELN's
request that Norway finance the guerrilla group's proposed
cease-fire and release of hostages with up to USD 18 million
(reftel). Vibe declined to comment to the guarantors on the
amount the ELN had requested, instead laying out some general
peace process guidelines. According to Akerman, Vibe said no
democratic government could give money to an organization on
terrorist lists, like the ELN. However, he said it might be
possible to supply material goods to such an organization
(food, medicine, etc) as part of a peace process, with the
authorization of the GOC and with the approval of the
international community. The question of when to deliver
such material support would depend on the progress of the
talks, Vibe suggested.

--------------
Norwegians Want to Meet ELN
--------------


3. (C) Akerman called Restrepo from Oslo to brief him on the
Vibe meeting. He told Restrepo the Norwegians were
interested in meeting directly with ELN military commander
and negotiator Antonio Garcia, perhaps in Caracas. According
to Akerman, Restrepo was not opposed to the meeting, as long
as the ELN asked permission from Restrepo and said explicitly
that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss cease-fire and
release of hostages. Akerman said the ELN's response to
Restrepo's request would be a test of its commitment to the
process.

--------------
Guarantors Characterize ELN as Defeated
--------------


4. (C) Akerman and Vargas said the ELN is a defeated
organization that is looking for "dignity" through the peace
process. Akerman said Garcia asked for money from the
Norwegians in part to fund ELN troops' needs, and in part to
provide for "contingencies" and secure the personal financial
futures of key ELN leaders. In the guarantors' view, the ELN
is not looking to intensify its guerrilla activities by
obtaining funds from Norway. They also said civil society
organizations are putting pressure on the ELN, saying the
country cannot tolerate continued conflict.

--------------
Briefing Request from Felipe Gonzalez
--------------


5. (C) Akerman reported that former Spanish Prime Minister
Felipe Gonzalez had asked the guarantors for a briefing in
Cartagena, where he is currently participating in meetings
associated with his foundation. The guarantors intended to
seek Restrepo's permission before going ahead. (Gonzalez was
one of the high profile political figures the ELN had
previously asked to become involved in the talks, but
Gonzalez expressed reluctance in the absence of an ELN
cease-fire. The guarantors understand that Gonzalez wanted
to remain informed but was not seeking to insert himself into
the process.)

WOOD