AMBASSADOR'S OCTOBER 11 MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 007481

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2017
TAGS: ECON KJUS PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER VZ CO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S OCTOBER 11 MEETING WITH
VICE-PRESIDENT SANTOS

Classified By: Ambassador William R. Brownfield
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) In an October 11 meeting, the Ambassador and
Vice-President Santos reviewed prospects for U.S. approval of
the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA),agreed on the need
to work closely to deflect efforts by President Chavez and
the FARC to make the USG and GOC look intransigent in
humanitarian accord talks, and discussed possible U.S.
assistance to GOC development projects for the Wayuu
indigenous people in La Guajira department. END SUMMARY


2. (U) The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Vice-President
Francisco Santos on October 11. Santos was accompanied by
his Chief of Staff Maria Angela Holguin. USAID Director and
PolCouns (notetaker) accompanied the Ambassador.

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FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
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3. (C) Santos said U.S. Congressional approval of the FTA is
in doubt. The GOC is working with other Latin American
presidents to encourage them to send a letter to U.S.
Congressional Leaders highlighting the importance of
approving the Peruvian, Panamanian and Colombian FTAs as a
package. Santos welcomed suggestions to help the GOC
overcome opposition by human rights groups to FTA passage,
noting that the GOC will substantially increase the
Prosecutor General's (Fiscalia) budget in 2008. This will
improve the Fiscalia's capacity to implement the Justice and
Peace Law and to prosecute human rights abuses. He said the
GOC is also considering setting up a new Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights that would coordinate all human
rights activities.


4. (C) The Ambassador applauded these initiatives, and
suggested the GOC reconsider proposals to introduce
legislation that would reduce the jail time served by
politicians convicted of paramilitary ties. Santos said
recent revelations of intercepts showing some
para-politicians conspiring to obstruct justice had deflated
the movement in the Colombian Congress to help their jailed
colleagues. He assured the Ambassador that GOC legislation
clarifying the status of demobilized paramilitary foot
soldiers would not benefit legislators or other public
officials.

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PRESIDENT CHAVEZ AND HUMANITARIAN ACCORD
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5. (C) Holguin asked for the USG's assessment of Chavez' role
in humanitarian accord negotiations with the FARC. The
Ambassador said the USG welcomes any initiative aimed at
obtaining the release of all of the hostages held by the
FARC, including the three U.S. citizens, but noted our
skepticism regarding Chavez' intentions. He said the GOC and
the international community need to put the focus on the
FARC's failure to offer something concrete, such as proof of
life, in the process. To date, the FARC has enjoyed a free
ride. The Ambassador said the GOC and USG will need to work
together to avoid Chavez' inevitable efforts to make us take
the blame for the processes, eventual failure.


6. (C) Santos said there is a minimal chance Chavez'
initiative will lead to the hostages' freedom, but he did not
rule out the FARC's eventual release of Clara Rojas and her
small child. He complained that Chavez and the FARC are
winning the public relations battle so far, and agreed the
GOC needs to shift the spotlight to the FARC's failure to
produce proof of life or to meet with Chavez in Caracas. He
committed to work closely with the Ambassador on this issue.

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CHANGING FARC TACTICS
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7. (C) Santos warned that the FARC are shifting resources
from rural to urban areas. The FARC recognize the future
lies in the cities, and are recruiting university students
and middle-class youth to conduct terrorist actions and
political indoctrination. A university student placed the
last FARC bomb in Bogota. The current high level of

political polarization facilitates FARC targeting of
middle-class students. Santos urged that USG security
assistance address this new FARC threat.

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EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS IN LA GUAJIRA
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8. (C) Holguin reviewed GOC programs to provide the Wayuu
indigenous people in La Guajira department with greater
access to energy, schools and water. The current effort
receives funding from the Spanish aid agency and the Andean
Development Corporation (CAF). The GOC would welcome U.S.
support as well. Santos noted that since the Wayuu live in
both Colombia and Venezuela, the projects feature Venezuelan
local and regional government participation. The Ambassador
said we would be happy to explore ways to support these
projects. USAID director Ayalde noted several programs that
could be used to assist in the educational area.
Brownfield