Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BOGOTA7981
2007-11-08 12:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR'S NOVEMBER 1 MEETING WITH BOGOTA MAYOR
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 007981
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2017
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PHUM PTER ETRD VE CO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S NOVEMBER 1 MEETING WITH BOGOTA MAYOR
GARZON
Classified By: Ambassador William R. Brownfield
Reasons: 1.4(b) and (d)
-------
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 007981
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2017
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PHUM PTER ETRD VE CO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S NOVEMBER 1 MEETING WITH BOGOTA MAYOR
GARZON
Classified By: Ambassador William R. Brownfield
Reasons: 1.4(b) and (d)
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) Bogota Mayor Luis Eduardo "Lucho" Garzon told the
Ambassador on November 1 that he supports the Free Trade
Agreement--with modifications--as well as President Uribe's
democratic security policy. Garzon urged the USG to pay
greater attention to "leftist" movements in the region but
disavowed any alliance with Venezuelan President Chavez. At
the Ambassador's request, he agreed to stress to incoming
Polo Mayor Samuel Moreno the need to work with the Embassy on
security issues. END SUMMARY.
--------------
NO FAN OF CHAVEZ
--------------
2. (C) The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Bogota Mayor
"Lucho" Garzon on November 1. Garzon said the USG should pay
more attention to "leftist" movements in Latin America as
well as the long-term impact of Venezuela's role. The
Ambassador said the U.S. will work with any pragmatic and
democratic government regardless of ideology. Garzon stressed
his moderate status in the decidedly left of center
Alternative Democratic Pole (PDA) party and is not a Hugo
Chavez fan. He has never met with Chavez, even turning down
meeting requests when he came to Bogota, and believes Uribe's
acceptance of Chavez' facilitation role in humanitarian talks
with the FARC is an "error."
--------------
FARC APPRAISAL
--------------
3. (C) Garzon said he and Bogota Mayor-elect Samuel Moreno
both support a humanitarian accord with the FARC. He plans
to release a book in December outlining his views on the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the PDA, as
well as his reflections on his term. He said that the FARC
want recognition as legitimate political players, not
terrorists, but do not want to change their policies to
achieve this goal. Asked about the role of external players
in negotiations, the Ambassador said we accept the efforts of
any party that acts in good faith to promote an accord.
Still, the focus must remain on the FARC's actions and their
responsibilities for the kidnappings.
4. (C) Garzon commented that the FARC leadership lacks
political initiative or vision and simply want to survive
Uribe's presidency. The killing of the eleven kidnapped Valle
de Cauca legislators in June exemplified their desperation
and accelerated the FARC's decline. The escape of Colombian
police officer Jhon Frank Pinchao in May, and the recent
death of FARC leader Martin Caballero, further fueled the
FARC's paranoia. The three American hostages and Ingrid
Betancourt remain their most coveted assets for negotiation.
--------------
SUPPORT FOR FTA
--------------
5. (C) Garzon said Moreno, also a PDA member, who won the
Bogota mayor's race with 43% of the vote, would continue his
pro-growth measures. Bogota has enjoyed fast economic growth,
even higher than the national average (note: 9.65% in the
first quarter of this year according to the Bogota Chamber of
Commerce). He credited Uribe's democratic security policy
with building investor confidence and fostering growth.
Garzon supports the Free Trade Agreement with the U.S., but
said he would seek modifications to address concerns that the
FTA would lead to higher prices for medicine.
--------------
SCHOOLS AND SECURITY
--------------
6. (C) The Ambassador thanked Garzon for the city's
assistance with security for Embassy families and staff and
asked him for continued support. Garzon said Embassy security
remains an integral part of the overall city security plan.
He would underscore the need to address the Embassy's
security needs to Moreno, who takes office in January. The
Mayor also agreed to convene the school superintendent,
Moreno, Embassy officials and appropriate authorities to
discuss seismic upgrades and new construction for the Colegio
Nueva Granada, where most of the Embassy children attend.
Mayor-elect Moreno's children also attend the school.
Brownfield
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2017
TAGS: PGOV ASEC PHUM PTER ETRD VE CO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S NOVEMBER 1 MEETING WITH BOGOTA MAYOR
GARZON
Classified By: Ambassador William R. Brownfield
Reasons: 1.4(b) and (d)
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) Bogota Mayor Luis Eduardo "Lucho" Garzon told the
Ambassador on November 1 that he supports the Free Trade
Agreement--with modifications--as well as President Uribe's
democratic security policy. Garzon urged the USG to pay
greater attention to "leftist" movements in the region but
disavowed any alliance with Venezuelan President Chavez. At
the Ambassador's request, he agreed to stress to incoming
Polo Mayor Samuel Moreno the need to work with the Embassy on
security issues. END SUMMARY.
--------------
NO FAN OF CHAVEZ
--------------
2. (C) The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Bogota Mayor
"Lucho" Garzon on November 1. Garzon said the USG should pay
more attention to "leftist" movements in Latin America as
well as the long-term impact of Venezuela's role. The
Ambassador said the U.S. will work with any pragmatic and
democratic government regardless of ideology. Garzon stressed
his moderate status in the decidedly left of center
Alternative Democratic Pole (PDA) party and is not a Hugo
Chavez fan. He has never met with Chavez, even turning down
meeting requests when he came to Bogota, and believes Uribe's
acceptance of Chavez' facilitation role in humanitarian talks
with the FARC is an "error."
--------------
FARC APPRAISAL
--------------
3. (C) Garzon said he and Bogota Mayor-elect Samuel Moreno
both support a humanitarian accord with the FARC. He plans
to release a book in December outlining his views on the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the PDA, as
well as his reflections on his term. He said that the FARC
want recognition as legitimate political players, not
terrorists, but do not want to change their policies to
achieve this goal. Asked about the role of external players
in negotiations, the Ambassador said we accept the efforts of
any party that acts in good faith to promote an accord.
Still, the focus must remain on the FARC's actions and their
responsibilities for the kidnappings.
4. (C) Garzon commented that the FARC leadership lacks
political initiative or vision and simply want to survive
Uribe's presidency. The killing of the eleven kidnapped Valle
de Cauca legislators in June exemplified their desperation
and accelerated the FARC's decline. The escape of Colombian
police officer Jhon Frank Pinchao in May, and the recent
death of FARC leader Martin Caballero, further fueled the
FARC's paranoia. The three American hostages and Ingrid
Betancourt remain their most coveted assets for negotiation.
--------------
SUPPORT FOR FTA
--------------
5. (C) Garzon said Moreno, also a PDA member, who won the
Bogota mayor's race with 43% of the vote, would continue his
pro-growth measures. Bogota has enjoyed fast economic growth,
even higher than the national average (note: 9.65% in the
first quarter of this year according to the Bogota Chamber of
Commerce). He credited Uribe's democratic security policy
with building investor confidence and fostering growth.
Garzon supports the Free Trade Agreement with the U.S., but
said he would seek modifications to address concerns that the
FTA would lead to higher prices for medicine.
--------------
SCHOOLS AND SECURITY
--------------
6. (C) The Ambassador thanked Garzon for the city's
assistance with security for Embassy families and staff and
asked him for continued support. Garzon said Embassy security
remains an integral part of the overall city security plan.
He would underscore the need to address the Embassy's
security needs to Moreno, who takes office in January. The
Mayor also agreed to convene the school superintendent,
Moreno, Embassy officials and appropriate authorities to
discuss seismic upgrades and new construction for the Colegio
Nueva Granada, where most of the Embassy children attend.
Mayor-elect Moreno's children also attend the school.
Brownfield