Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BOGOTA7954
2007-11-06 22:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR'S OCTOBER 29 MEETING WITH FORMER

Tags:  PGOV ETRD PHUM PINR PREL OAS PE VE CO 
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9999
INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 9504
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ NOV 9024
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 5592
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA PRIORITY 0790
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 6225
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 0015
RUCNDTA/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1864
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 007954 

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SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV ETRD PHUM PINR PREL OAS PE VE CO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S OCTOBER 29 MEETING WITH FORMER
PRESIDENT CESAR GAVIRIA


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

-------
SUMMARY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 007954

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV ETRD PHUM PINR PREL OAS PE VE CO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S OCTOBER 29 MEETING WITH FORMER
PRESIDENT CESAR GAVIRIA


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

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) The Ambassador reviewed with Liberal Party leader
Cesar Gaviria on October 29 the result of the preceding day's
local elections, Senator Cordoba's and President Chavez'
efforts to promote a humanitarian accord, and prospects for
U.S. Congressional approval of the bilateral Free Trade
Agreement (FTA). Gaviria judged that the liberal remained
Colombia's single biggest party, though President Uribe's
coalition did well. Gaviria said politicians tied to the
former paramilitaries lost ground in the elections. The
former president expressed skepticism about Senator Cordoba's
and President Chavez' efforts to promote a humanitarian
accord. Gaviria called President Uribe's acceptance of
Chavez as a facilitator in humanitarian exchange talks with
the FARC a "mistake." Gaviria said that the U.S. Congress'
failure to approve the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would prove
devastating for Colombia. He voiced interest in meeting with
U.S. legislators to urge them to support the FTA. END
SUMMARY.


2. (U) The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on October 29 to
former president, former OAS Secretary General, and current
Liberal Party leader Cesar Gaviria. Polcouns participated as
notetaker.

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OCTOBER LOCAL ELECTIONS
--------------


3. (C) Gaviria said that no party did especially well in the
elections. The Polo Democratico won the Bogota mayor's race,
but fared poorly in the rest of the country. The Liberals won
six governorships, down from 13 in 2003, but continue to
function as Colombia's biggest political party. The Uribista
coalition parties won a majority of governorships, but the
coalition remains divided and lacking in ideological
coherence. He said that the Liberal Party would support
initiatives to raise the minimum number of votes required to

gain representation in congress--a move that would harm
smaller parties and benefit the Liberals. Gaviria added
that despite the support of some Liberal Party leaders such
as Senator Piedad Cordoba for the Polo's mayoral candidate,
the Party would remain united. "Piedad always has to be
different," Gaviria said.


4. (C) When asked about the parapolitical scandal's impact on
the elections, Gaviria replied that the results showed that
politicians linked to para-politicians had lost ground. With
the paramilitary demobilization, para-politicians lost their
capacity to intimidate voters or opposition candidates. On
Colombia's Caribbean coast, the traditional political bosses
also saw a substantial weakening in their hold on voters. As
a result, independent candidates in Cartagena, Santa Marta
and the departments of Cesar and Atlantico scored victories.
Still, he noted that parapoliticians retained control over
the government machinery in some areas such as Sucre and
Magdalena departments, making it hard to challenge their
power.

--------------
HUMANITARIAN INITIATIVE
--------------


5. (C) Gaviria voiced skepticism about the efforts of Cordoba
and President Chavez to promote a humanitarian accord with
the FARC. He did not understand why Uribe allowed Chavez to
play such a role, and deemed it a mistake. Chavez'
involvement complicated Colombia's relations with a key
economic partner, as well as talks to resolve the
Colombia-Venezuela border dispute. Gaviria also disagreed
with Uribe's decision to release unilaterally senior FARC
official Rodrigo Granda, as well as 150 other FARC prisoners,
from prison as a goodwill gesture. The FARC only respects
gains won through negotiations; it does not respond to good
faith acts. Still, he questioned Uribe's refusal to consider
a demilitarized zone to start talks. A demilitarized zone
subject to strict time and geographic limits would be
preferable to a FARC official meeting with Chavez in
Miraflores, Gaviria contended.


--------------
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
--------------


6. (C) The Ambassador said that the U.S. Congress appeared
unlikely to vote on the Colombia FTA this year, but predicted
a window of opportunity to get the accord approved in early

2008. Gaviria said U.S. failure to approve the
FTA--especially if coupled with congressional approval of the
deal with Peru--would devastate Colombia. It would be all
right if Congress did not approve any of the three pending
Latin America FTAs. It would be a disaster if they approved
Peru and/or Panama, but not Colombia. The country would
appear isolated in Latin America. He further stated that he
would meet with U.S. legislators to urge them to pass the
FTA, but only if it appears the vote will take place.

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UN AND OAS ROLES IN COLOMBIA
--------------


7. (C) Gaviria said the Organization of American States
Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia (MAPP/OAS)
has played an important role in the success of the
paramilitary peace process. Most Colombians would welcome
similar OAS participation in an eventual FARC or National
Liberation Army (ELN) process. He thinks highly of OAS
Secretary General Insulza, and believes he could contribute

SIPDIS
to peace efforts in the country. Gaviria said the GOC would
also likely accept UN involvement in an ELN or FARC process,
but cautioned that this would involve more complications.
Many Colombians resent the "colonial" attitude shown by many
UN officials towards Colombia in the past, and would want to
impose strict controls on any UN role.
Brownfield