CHAVEZ OFFERS TO HELP NEGOTIATE COLOMBIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 006186

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2017
TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL PTER CO
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ OFFERS TO HELP NEGOTIATE COLOMBIAN
HUMANITARIAN EXCHANGE

Classified By: Political Counselor John S. Creamer.
Reason: 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) Summary: Venezuelan President Chavez met with
relatives of FARC-held hostages and offered to act as an
observer/guarantor for a humanitarian exchange. He also
suggested Venezuela as a possible site for talks. Colombian
Liberal party Senator Piedad Cordoba set up the meeting after
President Uribe authorized her to act as an intermediary with
the FARC. Presidential advisor Jose Obdulio Gaviria told us
the GOC knew Cordoba would seek Chavez's help, but believes
it can limit his capacity to exploit his role for political
benefit. The GOC thinks Chavez' efforts will fail, and its
opposition to creation of a demilitarized zone within
Colombia for talks remains firm. End Summary.

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Chavez Meets Relatives of FARC Hostages
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2. (U) President Hugo Chavez met with 14 relatives of
hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(FARC) at his office in Caracas on August 20. At the
televised meeting, Chavez said that he would not "rest in
search" of a humanitarian exchange of FARC-held hostages for
FARC terrorists held by the GOC. High-profile hostage
relatives attended the meeting, including Yolanda Pulecio,
mother of ex-presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, and
teacher Gustavo Moncayo, who recently finished a
widely-publicized walk across Colombia to draw attention to
his hostage son's plight.


3. (U) Chavez urged FARC leader Manuel "Sureshot" Marulanda
to consider a humanitarian accord, and said both the GOC and
FARC would have to make concessions if an exchange were to
occur. Chavez offered to act as "an observer and guarantor"
for an exchange, and suggested Venezuela as a possible site
for talks. As a goodwill gesture, Chavez said he would
pardon some of the 27 Colombians serving prison terms in
Venezuela for involvement in an alleged 2004 plot to kill
him. Chavez is scheduled to travel to Bogota on August 31 to
meet with President Uribe to discuss an exchange.

4. (U) Colombian Liberal party Senator Piedad Cordoba,
herself a kidnap victim of the United Self-Defense Forces of
Colombia (AUC) in 1999, arranged the meeting. President
Uribe recently authorized Cordoba, a harsh critic of the
president, to act as intermediary with the FARC on a
humanitarian exchange. Cordoba said she turned to Chavez for
help because he has a "great deal of credibility with the
government and people of Colombia." Chavez called Cordoba a
member of the "Chavista caucus."

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GOC Supports Chavez Intervention for "Humanitarian" Reasons
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5. (C) Jose Obdulio Gaviria, a senior advisor and
speechwriter for President Uribe, told us August 21 the GOC
knew Cordoba would seek Chavez's help. He said humanitarian
concerns are behind the GOC acceptance of Chavez's role, and
noted the GOC had authorized other political opponents, such
as Communist party leader Carlos Lozano, to work for an
exchange. Gaviria said the GOC hopes the FARC will respond
positively to Chavez's overture, but does not expect the
group to do so. He left the impression the GOC move reflects
its desire to keep the initiative on a humanitarian exchange
in the face of internal and international pressure.


6. (C) Gaviria said President Uribe will have to decide if
he will authorize Chavez to meet directly with FARC leaders,
but speculated he would probably allow it unless it appeared
Chavez was trying to create a major propaganda event. The
GOC expects Chavez will use his role to strengthen his
political supporters (including Senator Cordoba and the
left-wing Polo Party) inside Colombia, but the GOC is
confident it can manage this. Gaviria noted in the past
Chavez respected limits imposed by the GOC.


7. (C) Gaviria said the GOC will not sanction the FARC

opening an office in Venezuela, as was recently proposed by
the FARC, but would probably accept an ad hoc FARC delegation
going to Venezuela to negotiate a humanitarian exchange. The
GOC had already done this with the National Liberation Army
(ELN) negotiators. Venezuela has been supportive of the
GOC-ELN talks, refraining from political meddling but
providing important logistical support. Gaviria reiterated
that GOC opposition to creating a demilitarized area
(despeje) in Colombia for negotiations ("despeje").
Nichols