Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BOGOTA7987
2007-11-08 14:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
RECOMMENDATION TO RESTORE ASSISTANCE TO AIR COMBAT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0009 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBO #7987 3121428 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 081428Z NOV 07 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0038 INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 9517 RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ NOV LIMA 5607 RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 0798 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 6234 RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL 4158 RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 007987
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PTER KJUS CO
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION TO RESTORE ASSISTANCE TO AIR COMBAT
COMMAND - 1 (CACOM-1)
REF: A. PATTERSON-RAMIREZ LETTER JANUARY 3 2003
B. STATE 237099
Classified By: Ambassador William R. Brownfield.
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 007987
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PTER KJUS CO
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION TO RESTORE ASSISTANCE TO AIR COMBAT
COMMAND - 1 (CACOM-1)
REF: A. PATTERSON-RAMIREZ LETTER JANUARY 3 2003
B. STATE 237099
Classified By: Ambassador William R. Brownfield.
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) The Department of State suspended U.S. assistance to
Colombian Air Force Air Combat Command-1 (CACOM-1) in Puerto
Salgar (Cundinamarca) in January 2003 due to the Air Force's
refusal to accept responsibility for the bombing of the
village of Santo Domingo (Arauca) on December 13, 1998 by a
helicopter from CACOM-1. Seventeen civilians died in the
incident, including seven children. Despite strong evidence
to the contrary, then Air Force Commanding General Velasco
repeatedly denied that a helicopter from CACOM-1 had bombed
the village or that the Air Force was in any way responsible,
insisting that a FARC truck bomb caused the deaths.
2. (C) In a January 3, 2003 letter from Ambassador Patterson
to Minister of Defense Ramirez (ref A),the Department
informed GOC officials that the suspension would be lifted if
the GOC provided a "credible account" of what happened at
Santo Domingo. Subsequently, both sides agreed that
suspension could be lifted if the civilian judiciary issued a
verdict in the case. On September 21, the civilian 12th
Circuit Criminal Court in Bogota found two pilots and one
technician guilty of manslaughter for the accidental bombing,
and sentenced them to six years of confinement. The
Prosecutor General's Office (Fiscalia) is also considering
additional charges of obstruction of justice and perjury
against an Air Force major, the senior flight officer during
the operation.
3. (C) The convictions satisfy the conditions established by
the Department for lifting the suspension of assistance to
CACOM-1. After initial resistance, Air Force and Defense
Ministry officials cooperated with the Fiscalia's
investigation of the case. Moreover, the Air Force modified
its rules of engagement after the Santo Domingo incident to
minimize the possibility that such an incident could occur
again.
4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Post recommends lifting the
suspension of assistance to CACOM-1 due to the September 12
conviction of two pilots and one technician involved in the
incident.
Brownfield
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PTER KJUS CO
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION TO RESTORE ASSISTANCE TO AIR COMBAT
COMMAND - 1 (CACOM-1)
REF: A. PATTERSON-RAMIREZ LETTER JANUARY 3 2003
B. STATE 237099
Classified By: Ambassador William R. Brownfield.
Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) The Department of State suspended U.S. assistance to
Colombian Air Force Air Combat Command-1 (CACOM-1) in Puerto
Salgar (Cundinamarca) in January 2003 due to the Air Force's
refusal to accept responsibility for the bombing of the
village of Santo Domingo (Arauca) on December 13, 1998 by a
helicopter from CACOM-1. Seventeen civilians died in the
incident, including seven children. Despite strong evidence
to the contrary, then Air Force Commanding General Velasco
repeatedly denied that a helicopter from CACOM-1 had bombed
the village or that the Air Force was in any way responsible,
insisting that a FARC truck bomb caused the deaths.
2. (C) In a January 3, 2003 letter from Ambassador Patterson
to Minister of Defense Ramirez (ref A),the Department
informed GOC officials that the suspension would be lifted if
the GOC provided a "credible account" of what happened at
Santo Domingo. Subsequently, both sides agreed that
suspension could be lifted if the civilian judiciary issued a
verdict in the case. On September 21, the civilian 12th
Circuit Criminal Court in Bogota found two pilots and one
technician guilty of manslaughter for the accidental bombing,
and sentenced them to six years of confinement. The
Prosecutor General's Office (Fiscalia) is also considering
additional charges of obstruction of justice and perjury
against an Air Force major, the senior flight officer during
the operation.
3. (C) The convictions satisfy the conditions established by
the Department for lifting the suspension of assistance to
CACOM-1. After initial resistance, Air Force and Defense
Ministry officials cooperated with the Fiscalia's
investigation of the case. Moreover, the Air Force modified
its rules of engagement after the Santo Domingo incident to
minimize the possibility that such an incident could occur
again.
4. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Post recommends lifting the
suspension of assistance to CACOM-1 due to the September 12
conviction of two pilots and one technician involved in the
incident.
Brownfield