Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BOGOTA6881
2007-09-19 22:47:00
SECRET
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:  

GOC REITERATES RULES OF THE GAME FOR CHAVEZ AND

Tags:  PGOV PHUM PREL PTER PREF FR CO 
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S E C R E T BOGOTA 006881 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PTER PREF FR CO
SUBJECT: GOC REITERATES RULES OF THE GAME FOR CHAVEZ AND
FARC

Classified By: CDA Brian A Nichols - Reasons 1.4 (b and d)

S E C R E T BOGOTA 006881

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PTER PREF FR CO
SUBJECT: GOC REITERATES RULES OF THE GAME FOR CHAVEZ AND
FARC

Classified By: CDA Brian A Nichols - Reasons 1.4 (b and d)


1. (S) Summary. Peace Commissioner Restrepo said he and
President Uribe repeatedly told Venezuelan President Chavez
the GOC will not consider a demilitarized zone as part of a
deal for a "humanitarian exchange" with the FARC. The FARC
does not want to meet with Chavez in Venezuela (preferring
Colombia),because a Caracas meeting would show a
demilitarized zone is not needed for the exchange. Chavez
tried to convince Uribe to separate out the three U.S.
citizens held by the FARC and subsequently pressed Uribe to
ask the USG to return FARC members convicted in the United
States as part of a deal. Restrepo said Uribe told Chavez
the Americans must be included and refused to ask the USG to
return FARC convicts Sonia and Simon. Chavez said he would
ask French President Sarkozy to press the USG on the convict
issue. An initial meeting between Chavez and the FARC
(likely Raul Reyes) is reportedly set for October 8 in
Caracas. End summary.

GOC Rules of the Game: "No Despeje"
--------------

2. (C) Restrepo told us since the GOC's acceptance of Chavez
as a facilitator, the GOC has sought to establish and
maintain specific rules of game vis-a-vis Chavez and the
FARC. Restrepo met with Venezuelan Ambassador to Cuba Ali
Rodriguez in Cuba prior to the August 31 Uribe-Chavez meeting
to stress the GOC will not accept a demilitarized zone
("despeje"). Uribe publicly stated in his August 31 meeting
with Chavez--and beforehand--that the GOC would not accept a
despeje. Restrepo reiterated this message in September 7
meetings with Chavez and DISIP chief Henry Rangel Silva in
Caracas. Restrepo told Chavez the GOC could offer the FARC
security and other guarantees within Venezuela's borders, but
could make no such commitments inside Colombia. He told
Rangel, "just as your job is to protect Chavez, my job is to
protect Uribe."


3. (C) Restrepo said the FARC does not want to meet with
Chavez in Caracas, because this would show a despeje is not

needed for agreement on a humanitarian accord. Still, FARC
leaders do not think they can rebuff Chavez' initiative.
Chavez told Uribe on August 31 the FARC had sent a message
that without a despeje there could be no talks.

Why Allow Chavez In?
--------------

4. (S) Restrepo said Uribe believed Chavez would have become
involved in the FARC process sooner or later. It was better
to involve him when the GOC could set the terms. This will
allow the GOC to manage the French and to block a proposal by
authorized intermediary Senator Piedad Cordoba that Europeans
and other Latin leaders participate. He said Chavez wants a
quick success to enhance his image as he deals with
constitutional reform, economic difficulties, and the
creation of a unified socialist party at home. Uribe thinks
he can exploit Chavez' need to produce results to press the
FARC and obtain other benefits, including Venezuelan return
to the Andean Community, possible resolution of a territorial
dispute, and bi-national energy projects. Restrepo said
Chavez' fears that the FARC might encourage radical Chavista
elements without his approval also gave him an incentive to
press the group. Still, Chavez' paranoia that the United
States will use Colombian territory to sponsor an irregular
invasion of Venezuela ("contra" style) complicates his
involvement. Under this scenario, Chavez would not press the
FARC because he wants to maintain an irregular fighting force
that could help deter such a USG move.

U.S. Hostages Must be Included in Deal
--------------

5. (S) Chavez tried to convince Uribe on August 31 that the
three US hostages held by the FARC should be excluded from
his efforts. If the Americans were to be included, Chavez
said, Uribe would need to insist that the USG return "Sonia"
and "Simon Trinidad" (convicted in the United States of drug
and terrorism charges, respectively) as part of a deal.
Uribe said there could be no separation of the US hostages,
and he could not include the return Sonia and Simon in a
deal. Chavez said he would urge French President Nicolas
Sarkozy to raise this issue with the USG. Restrepo said
Chavez' opposition to including the three Amcits in a deal

softened when Cordoba mentioned that a member of the U.S.
Congress expressed interest in organizing a meeting between
U.S. hostage families and Chavez.

Next Steps
--------------

6. (C) Restrepo said former-Interior Minister Ramon Rodriguez
Chacin will handle the initiative with the FARC for Chavez,
and that the GOV's contact with the FARC is in a preliminary
phase. Chavez accepted a formula for talks on August 31, and
reaffirmed on September 7, that: 1) Chavez receives a FARC
emissary in Caracas, 2) urges FARC to make a good-faith
gesture such as releasing some hostages, and 3) sets up a
meeting on the Colombia-Venezuela border to start
negotiations on a final deal. Restrepo said the GOC would
not accept a FARC office in Caracas as part of the process.
After a meeting between Cordoba and the FARC's Reyes late in
the week of September 10, the media reported that an initial
meeting between Chavez and FARC spokesman Raul Reyes is set
for October 8, in Caracas (septel).
Brownfield