Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BOGOTA3787
2007-05-25 23:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
COLOMBIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CALLS FOR
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHBO #3787/01 1452340 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 252340Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5699 INFO RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN PRIORITY 1284 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 7565 RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 9023 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAY 8725 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 5088 RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 0379 RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA PRIORITY 0330 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 5711 RUEAWJC/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS BOGOTA 003787
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV MARR PHUM CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CALLS FOR
RESIGNATION OF OAS/MAPP CHIEF CARAMANGA
UNCLAS BOGOTA 003787
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV MARR PHUM CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CALLS FOR
RESIGNATION OF OAS/MAPP CHIEF CARAMANGA
1. (U) On May 23, the House of Representatives approved a
non-binding resolution calling on the GOC to ask the OAS to
remove Sergio Caramagna, chief of OAS Mission for Support of
the Peace Process (OAS/MAPP),for alleged incompetence in
monitoring the Tierralta accord with the paramilitaries.
(Informal Embassy translation of excerpts from resolution in
paragraph 4.) The resolution, citing news reports, claims
the OAS/MAPP failed to prevent acts of prostitution by
paramilitaries during the Santa Fe de Ralito negotiation
with the GOC. It also criticizes the Catholic Church and
Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo for the same alleged
failures. The resolution was sponsored by Cambio Radical
Representative Jose Castro Calcedo, a member of President
Uribe's congressional coalition. Senate officials said no
similar resolution is pending in the Senate.
2. (SBU) Only approximately 60 of 162 House members were
present for the voice vote, which received a majority of its
support from opposition Polo Democratico Party
representatives looking to discredit the GOC. Cambio Radical
House leader Roy Barreras said neither his Party nor other
members of the governing coalition were consulted about the
resolution and did not support it. Castro acted on his own.
Barreras said Cambio Radical will seek to issue a statement
the week of May 28 repudiating the resolution and expressing
support for Caramagna and the OAS/MAPP. He said Cambio
Radical will also repudiate a separate no confidence
resolution pending against Defense Minister Juan Manuel
Santos.
3. (SBU) OAS/MAPP Deputy Claudia Perez said OAS SYG Insulza
called Caramagna, who is on vacation in Argentina, on May 25
to express his full support. Insulza told Caramagna he
understood the allegations lay outside of the MAPP/OAS
mandate, and characterized the resolution as an effort by
some to score political points against President Uribe. MFA
US Affairs Director Patricia Cortes said the GoC strongly
rejects the resolution, and is preparing a letter to Insulza
supporting Caramagna and the OAS/MAPP.
4. (U) Begins excerpts of House resolution.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PROPOSAL
On May 12 and 13, 2004 in Santa Fe de Ralito, an "Agreement
between the National Government and the AUC for the
Demobilization Zone located in Tierralta, Cordoba" was
signed. This agreement gave the OAS Mission of Support for
the Process of Peace in Colombia (MAPP/OAS) and the Catholic
Church the responsibility to accompany the process.
According to the facts published in "Semana" magazine's 1305
edition, dated May 5, 2007, the magazine denounces the fact
that the demobilization zone in Santa Fe de Rialto has been
used for other activities than those for which the zone was
created for--and which contrast with the pain inflicted on
the victims of violence our country...
These incidents constitute noncompliance of the obligations
established under the Tierralta agreement. Taking place
under the indifference of the MAPP-OAS, represented by Sergio
Caramagna and the Church's representatives on the Security
and Cohabitation Committee (Comite de Seguridad y
Convivencia) which was created by the above mentioned
agreement. Also noted is the incompetence in implementing
the OAS/MAPP mission, the indifference in reference to the
abuse of minors that entered the zone, and the
irresponsibility of not making the authorities aware of
incidents that violated the internal rules of behavior agreed
upon with the AUC.
As a consequence, we ask that the National Government request
from the OAS the immediate removal of Mr. Caramagna from his
position because of his incompetence, that he be replaced by
a person with high sensibility and a clear sense of duty, and
that they place in high regard the image of the OAS in
Colombia. We also request that the Prosecutor General
investigate the High Commissioner for Peace and his staff for
the facts reported. We also request through the Principal
Cardinal of Colombia that the ecclesiastic authorities
investigate and punish their delegates.
Finally we request that the Honorable House of
Representatives, through the Secretary, send a copy of this
proposal to the President of the Republic, the Foreign
Minister, the OAS Secretary General, the Prosecutor General
of the Nation, the High Commissioner for Peace, and the
Principal Cardinal of Colombia.
End Text.
Drucker
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV MARR PHUM CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CALLS FOR
RESIGNATION OF OAS/MAPP CHIEF CARAMANGA
1. (U) On May 23, the House of Representatives approved a
non-binding resolution calling on the GOC to ask the OAS to
remove Sergio Caramagna, chief of OAS Mission for Support of
the Peace Process (OAS/MAPP),for alleged incompetence in
monitoring the Tierralta accord with the paramilitaries.
(Informal Embassy translation of excerpts from resolution in
paragraph 4.) The resolution, citing news reports, claims
the OAS/MAPP failed to prevent acts of prostitution by
paramilitaries during the Santa Fe de Ralito negotiation
with the GOC. It also criticizes the Catholic Church and
Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo for the same alleged
failures. The resolution was sponsored by Cambio Radical
Representative Jose Castro Calcedo, a member of President
Uribe's congressional coalition. Senate officials said no
similar resolution is pending in the Senate.
2. (SBU) Only approximately 60 of 162 House members were
present for the voice vote, which received a majority of its
support from opposition Polo Democratico Party
representatives looking to discredit the GOC. Cambio Radical
House leader Roy Barreras said neither his Party nor other
members of the governing coalition were consulted about the
resolution and did not support it. Castro acted on his own.
Barreras said Cambio Radical will seek to issue a statement
the week of May 28 repudiating the resolution and expressing
support for Caramagna and the OAS/MAPP. He said Cambio
Radical will also repudiate a separate no confidence
resolution pending against Defense Minister Juan Manuel
Santos.
3. (SBU) OAS/MAPP Deputy Claudia Perez said OAS SYG Insulza
called Caramagna, who is on vacation in Argentina, on May 25
to express his full support. Insulza told Caramagna he
understood the allegations lay outside of the MAPP/OAS
mandate, and characterized the resolution as an effort by
some to score political points against President Uribe. MFA
US Affairs Director Patricia Cortes said the GoC strongly
rejects the resolution, and is preparing a letter to Insulza
supporting Caramagna and the OAS/MAPP.
4. (U) Begins excerpts of House resolution.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PROPOSAL
On May 12 and 13, 2004 in Santa Fe de Ralito, an "Agreement
between the National Government and the AUC for the
Demobilization Zone located in Tierralta, Cordoba" was
signed. This agreement gave the OAS Mission of Support for
the Process of Peace in Colombia (MAPP/OAS) and the Catholic
Church the responsibility to accompany the process.
According to the facts published in "Semana" magazine's 1305
edition, dated May 5, 2007, the magazine denounces the fact
that the demobilization zone in Santa Fe de Rialto has been
used for other activities than those for which the zone was
created for--and which contrast with the pain inflicted on
the victims of violence our country...
These incidents constitute noncompliance of the obligations
established under the Tierralta agreement. Taking place
under the indifference of the MAPP-OAS, represented by Sergio
Caramagna and the Church's representatives on the Security
and Cohabitation Committee (Comite de Seguridad y
Convivencia) which was created by the above mentioned
agreement. Also noted is the incompetence in implementing
the OAS/MAPP mission, the indifference in reference to the
abuse of minors that entered the zone, and the
irresponsibility of not making the authorities aware of
incidents that violated the internal rules of behavior agreed
upon with the AUC.
As a consequence, we ask that the National Government request
from the OAS the immediate removal of Mr. Caramagna from his
position because of his incompetence, that he be replaced by
a person with high sensibility and a clear sense of duty, and
that they place in high regard the image of the OAS in
Colombia. We also request that the Prosecutor General
investigate the High Commissioner for Peace and his staff for
the facts reported. We also request through the Principal
Cardinal of Colombia that the ecclesiastic authorities
investigate and punish their delegates.
Finally we request that the Honorable House of
Representatives, through the Secretary, send a copy of this
proposal to the President of the Republic, the Foreign
Minister, the OAS Secretary General, the Prosecutor General
of the Nation, the High Commissioner for Peace, and the
Principal Cardinal of Colombia.
End Text.
Drucker