CORDOBA SEEKS MEETINGS WITH "SIMON TRINIDAD" AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 006885

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PTER PREF FR VZ CO
SUBJECT: CORDOBA SEEKS MEETINGS WITH "SIMON TRINIDAD" AND
"SONIA"

REF: A. FRENCH-MCMULLEN EMAIL 9/18/2007 - 5:27PM

B. NICHOLS-WELLS FAX 9/20/2007

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


1. (C) Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba called the Charge
from Caracas on September 18 to request a meeting with FARC
members "Simon Trinidad" and "Sonia" (convicted in the United
States of terrorism and drug charges, respectively). Cordoba
asked to meet with the two on September 21 during a planned
trip to the United States. She told the CDA that video or
photos of her with Trinidad and Sonia would give her the sign
of good will she needed with the FARC to make progress on the
US hostages. She said that the FARC has assured her that the
Americans were alive and in good condition. The Charge told
Cordoba that he would relay her request to the Department,
but cautioned her that a meeting in such a short time frame
appeared unlikely.


2. (SBU) Cordoba, apparently confused as to the identity of
the Ambassador, later falsely claimed to the press she had
received "authorization" to visit Simon and Sonia from the
Ambassador. Cordoba said during a September 19 radio
interview that she intended to meet with members of the U.S.
Congress and possibly with family members of Amcit hostages
held by the FARC.


3. (C) Per Ref A, Cordoba visited Caracas to meet with
Chavez on September 18 and asked the French DCM in Caracas,
Dominique Mas, to approach the USG to seek help in arranging
a meeting for her with Simon and Sonia. Cordoba claimed that
if she could show the FARC she met both FARC prisoners in the
US, she would be able to obtain proof of life for the US
hostages "within 15 days."


4. (SBU) On September 20, Cordoba called the Charge to
follow up on her request. Charge again noted the short time
frame and complexity of the request involved. He cautioned
her that a meeting with either Simon Trinidad or Sonia would
be difficult to arrange during her September 21 visit to
Washington. Cordoba said that she hoped talk to and take
pictures of both Simon Trinidad and Sonia as well as give
them books. Charge asked her to provide her specific request
in writing to avoid any misunderstandings and facilitate
action on it. Cordoba said that she would do so and noted
that she now planned to visit Washington on September 20-21
to include meetings with interested Members of Congress,
Orlando on September 22 for a meeting with hostage families
and return to Bogota on September 23. The Senator said that
she would travel to Caracas on September 25 for a meeting
between the U.S. hostage families and Venezuelan President
Chavez. Charge encouraged Cordoba to follow up with the
Colombian Embassy in Washington upon her arrival. She said
that she would do so.

Text of Cordoba Letter
--------------


5. (SBU) Cordoba wrote to Charge on September 20 to
formalize her request, which we have forwarded to Department
(Ref B). Informal Embassy translation follows:

Mr. Brian Nichols
Ambassador of the United State of America

Dear Mr. Ambassador,

Through this letter I would like to request permission to
visit the Colombian citizens Anayibe R. Valderrama ("Sonia")
and Juvenil Ovidio Ricardo Plamera ("Simon Trididad"),who
are presently incarcerated in the United States. Mr. Palmera
is detained in Washington D.C. Jail, while Ms. R. Valderrama
is in the Federal Medical Center in Ft. Worth, Texas.

My visit is for humanitarian reasons as part of my work as
mediator in the search for a humanitarian exchange. I was
assigned this role by Mr. Alvaro Uribe, President of
Colombia. I will bring the prisoners some books. I will be
accompanied by Mr. Jorge Enrique Botero, passport number AK

092295, who is also asking for the same authorization.

Cordially,

Piedad Cordoba Ruiz
Senator of the Republic
Brownfield