Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BOGOTA6424
2006-07-15 20:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
ONDCP DIRECTOR WALTERS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT URIBE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBO #6424 1962038 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 152038Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7028 RHEHOND/DIRONDCP WASHDC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 006424
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2026
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR CO
SUBJECT: ONDCP DIRECTOR WALTERS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT URIBE
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood. Reasons 1.4 (b&d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 006424
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2026
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR CO
SUBJECT: ONDCP DIRECTOR WALTERS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT URIBE
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood. Reasons 1.4 (b&d)
1. (C) Summary. On July 10, ONDCP Director Walters,
Ambassador Wood, INL Assistant Secretary Patterson and WHA
PDAS Shapiro met with President Uribe to discuss Colombia's
counternarcotics efforts. Walters congratulated Uribe on his
reelection and offered to enhance coordination and increase
drug eradication.
2. (C) Uribe said Colombia is perceived as losing the battle
to stop drug cultivation. He underlined his commitment to
accelerate spraying and manual eradication to improve
results. Walters recognized the recent report on cultivation
figures caused difficulties for the GoC, but added that an
accurate measurement is hard to obtain. Wood said the GoC
has demobilized over 40,000 illegal armed actors, and is
depriving them of their illicit profits by eradication
efforts. Uribe agreed but raised the concern that the
interval between the first spraying of an area and the return
to the same site is too long.
3. (C) Uribe welcomed the news that the U.S. would send teams
to discuss increased efficiencies in the spray program, and
to meet with his new cabinet. Walters emphasized that there
is pressure from Congress to show results. Uribe said the
political will to succeed will never be higher and that we
should work together to make progress now.
Chavez Asks for Help
--------------
4. (C) Uribe said President Chavez expressed his serious
concerns about increased kidnappings in Venezuela during
their July 8 meeting. While kidnappings have decreased in
Colombia, Chavez reported that 50 Venezuelans and Colombians
have been kidnapped on the Venezuelan side of the border. He
asked for Uribe's help and agreed their military commanders
should meet to address the issue. Uribe raised illicit drug
flights with Chavez who said he would sign an agreement with
the DEA to fight narcotics trafficking. Shapiro said the
U.S. is still waiting for the Venezuelans to agree on the
text. Uribe offered to follow up with Chavez and press him
to move quickly.
Helos, Smart Bombs
--------------
5. (C) Uribe said he asked President Bush for 24 new
helicopters during his recent trip to Washington. He also
wants smart weapons because he believes GoC weapons are
outdated. Wood pointed out that you only need 1-3 planes to
carry smart weapons, and that the smart bomb fits on an OV10
(which the GoC has in its inventory). Wood said we are
testing the Lockheed LongShot wing adaptor kit and hope to be
able to use it in the next few months.
WOOD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2026
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR CO
SUBJECT: ONDCP DIRECTOR WALTERS MEETING WITH PRESIDENT URIBE
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood. Reasons 1.4 (b&d)
1. (C) Summary. On July 10, ONDCP Director Walters,
Ambassador Wood, INL Assistant Secretary Patterson and WHA
PDAS Shapiro met with President Uribe to discuss Colombia's
counternarcotics efforts. Walters congratulated Uribe on his
reelection and offered to enhance coordination and increase
drug eradication.
2. (C) Uribe said Colombia is perceived as losing the battle
to stop drug cultivation. He underlined his commitment to
accelerate spraying and manual eradication to improve
results. Walters recognized the recent report on cultivation
figures caused difficulties for the GoC, but added that an
accurate measurement is hard to obtain. Wood said the GoC
has demobilized over 40,000 illegal armed actors, and is
depriving them of their illicit profits by eradication
efforts. Uribe agreed but raised the concern that the
interval between the first spraying of an area and the return
to the same site is too long.
3. (C) Uribe welcomed the news that the U.S. would send teams
to discuss increased efficiencies in the spray program, and
to meet with his new cabinet. Walters emphasized that there
is pressure from Congress to show results. Uribe said the
political will to succeed will never be higher and that we
should work together to make progress now.
Chavez Asks for Help
--------------
4. (C) Uribe said President Chavez expressed his serious
concerns about increased kidnappings in Venezuela during
their July 8 meeting. While kidnappings have decreased in
Colombia, Chavez reported that 50 Venezuelans and Colombians
have been kidnapped on the Venezuelan side of the border. He
asked for Uribe's help and agreed their military commanders
should meet to address the issue. Uribe raised illicit drug
flights with Chavez who said he would sign an agreement with
the DEA to fight narcotics trafficking. Shapiro said the
U.S. is still waiting for the Venezuelans to agree on the
text. Uribe offered to follow up with Chavez and press him
to move quickly.
Helos, Smart Bombs
--------------
5. (C) Uribe said he asked President Bush for 24 new
helicopters during his recent trip to Washington. He also
wants smart weapons because he believes GoC weapons are
outdated. Wood pointed out that you only need 1-3 planes to
carry smart weapons, and that the smart bomb fits on an OV10
(which the GoC has in its inventory). Wood said we are
testing the Lockheed LongShot wing adaptor kit and hope to be
able to use it in the next few months.
WOOD