Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BOGOTA8288
2006-09-08 21:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
COLOMBIAN MILITARY BEHIND RECENT BOGOTA BOMBINGS
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 008288
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2016
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN MILITARY BEHIND RECENT BOGOTA BOMBINGS
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood.
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 008288
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2016
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN MILITARY BEHIND RECENT BOGOTA BOMBINGS
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood.
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) The Colombian Army reported that 2 to 4 military
officers allegedly placed a series of car bombs and other
explosives around Bogota during the July-August run-up to
President Uribe's inauguration. The soldiers intended to
"discover" the explosives and claim GOC rewards. One of the
bombs, however, detonated, killing one civilian and injuring
about twenty soldiers. At the time, the COLAR blamed the
bombings on terrorists.
2. (C) Army Chief of Staff General Mario Montoya publicly
conceded the possibility of military involvement in the
scheme on September 8. El Tiempo, the leading Bogota
newspaper, reported on September 9 that four military
officers plotted with a demobilized FARC guerrilla to plant
the explosives, for which the former FARC member was to be
paid five million pesos (about USD$2,500). Our Defense
Attache overheard a high-level ministry official provide an
account of the bombing investigation to President Uribe that
tracks the El Tiempo report.
--------------
THE INVESTIGATION
--------------
3. (C) Authorities reportedly have videotapes, wiretaps and
witness statements linking officers to the plot. It is not
clear when the formal GOC investigation began, but a CNP
intelligence officer told us in early August the police
suspected military involvement.
--------------
TRANSPARENCY
--------------
4. (C) The MOD's transparency in reporting the possible
involvement of its personnel in the extortion scheme shows
new Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos' strong management
style. In a further step toward holding military officials
accountable for their conduct, Santos announced on September
8 the appointment of a civilian, Luz Marina Gil, to head the
military justice system. Gil, who represented Colombia
before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, is the first
civilian to head this important institution. Santos made the
announcement at a Human Rights Day breakfast in front of
numerous senior military staff and diplomatic corps
representatives, underscoring his commitment to stamp out
misconduct. The announcement follows repeated failures by
the military justice system to investigate and punish
personnel suspected of wrongdoing. Speaking to reporters
after the breakfast, Ambassador Wood said the MOD's statement
demonstrated transparency and a determination to get to the
bottom of the scheme.
WOOD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2016
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN MILITARY BEHIND RECENT BOGOTA BOMBINGS
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood.
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) The Colombian Army reported that 2 to 4 military
officers allegedly placed a series of car bombs and other
explosives around Bogota during the July-August run-up to
President Uribe's inauguration. The soldiers intended to
"discover" the explosives and claim GOC rewards. One of the
bombs, however, detonated, killing one civilian and injuring
about twenty soldiers. At the time, the COLAR blamed the
bombings on terrorists.
2. (C) Army Chief of Staff General Mario Montoya publicly
conceded the possibility of military involvement in the
scheme on September 8. El Tiempo, the leading Bogota
newspaper, reported on September 9 that four military
officers plotted with a demobilized FARC guerrilla to plant
the explosives, for which the former FARC member was to be
paid five million pesos (about USD$2,500). Our Defense
Attache overheard a high-level ministry official provide an
account of the bombing investigation to President Uribe that
tracks the El Tiempo report.
--------------
THE INVESTIGATION
--------------
3. (C) Authorities reportedly have videotapes, wiretaps and
witness statements linking officers to the plot. It is not
clear when the formal GOC investigation began, but a CNP
intelligence officer told us in early August the police
suspected military involvement.
--------------
TRANSPARENCY
--------------
4. (C) The MOD's transparency in reporting the possible
involvement of its personnel in the extortion scheme shows
new Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos' strong management
style. In a further step toward holding military officials
accountable for their conduct, Santos announced on September
8 the appointment of a civilian, Luz Marina Gil, to head the
military justice system. Gil, who represented Colombia
before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, is the first
civilian to head this important institution. Santos made the
announcement at a Human Rights Day breakfast in front of
numerous senior military staff and diplomatic corps
representatives, underscoring his commitment to stamp out
misconduct. The announcement follows repeated failures by
the military justice system to investigate and punish
personnel suspected of wrongdoing. Speaking to reporters
after the breakfast, Ambassador Wood said the MOD's statement
demonstrated transparency and a determination to get to the
bottom of the scheme.
WOOD