Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BOGOTA8001
2007-11-09 11:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:  

CHAVEZ AND THE FARC KEEP GOC IN THE DARK

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREF PREL PTER VZ CO 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 008001 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREF PREL PTER VZ CO
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ AND THE FARC KEEP GOC IN THE DARK

Classified By: Political Counselor John Creamer - Reasons 1.4 (b, d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 008001

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/07/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREF PREL PTER VZ CO
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ AND THE FARC KEEP GOC IN THE DARK

Classified By: Political Counselor John Creamer - Reasons 1.4 (b, d)


1. (C) Summary: Prompted by press reports of a President
Chavez-FARC meeting, GOC Peace Commissioner Restrepo issued a
statement on November 7 stating that Chavez had not informed
the GOC of his encounter--as Uribe and Chavez had previously
agreed. A senior GOC official voiced skepticism about
Chavez' facilitation effort, and confirmed that the GOC
maintains its four "non-negotiable" points (no demilitarized
zone, no return of FARC fighters to the ranks, all hostages
included in a release, and no political recognition for the
FARC). Local media interpreted the return of released FARC
"Foreign Minister" Rodrigo Granda to the 'mountains of
Colombia" on the eve of the Chavez-FARC meeting as a bad
sign. End summary.

-------------- --
GOC Learns of Chavez-FARC Meeting Through Media
-------------- --

2. (U) Responding to press reports that Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez met with representatives of the FARC in
Venezuela, Colombian Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo
issued a statement on November 7 saying the GOC had not been
informed of the visit "as had been previously agreed" by the
two presidents. Restrepo said the GOC learned of the
Chavez-FARC meeting through the media. Restrepo added on
November 8 that a planned meeting between Chavez and
President Alvaro Uribe at the Ibero-American summit in Chile
had been canceled since Chavez had decided not to attend.


3. (C) Presidential Advisor Jose Obdulio Gaviria told us the
FARC likely was represented in Venezuela by Secretariat
member Ivan Marquez and FARC "Foreign Minister" Rodrigo
Granda. He claimed that FARC International Relations
representative Raul Reyes had found it difficult to get out
of Colombia due to Colombian military action, and he doubted
Mono Jojoy would participate. The FARC was feeling
significant military pressure after the killing of 37th Front
commander Martin Caballero in Bolivar in October and 16th
Front Commander "Negro Acacio" August 1.


4. (C) Gaviria confirmed the GOC will not yield on its four
non-negotiable points (inamovibles): no demilitarized zone
(or "despeje"),no return of released FARC members to
criminal activity, all hostages to be included in a
humanitarian exchange package, and no high-level political
show for FARC. He said the GOC remains skeptical about the
process, but needs to play it out. If the FARC released the
hostages, the GOC would win because the FARC would lose the
only card that gives it international political relevance.
Chavez would also gain international prestige, but the GOC
would have to accept this. If the process failed, the key
would be to avoid taking the blame.


5. (C) Gaviria said humanitarian exchange facilitator Senator
Piedad Cordoba had succeeded in getting the process moving,
but added that the GOC had no illusions about her political
sympathies. The GOC considered Cordoba close to the FARC--at
least one FARC member was a member of her legislative staff.
Gaviria said the GOC does not go after the staffer--as well
as other FARC sympathizers in Bogota--because it knew it
would be a "political disaster." Finally, Gaviria said
Cordoba accepted that "Simon Trinidad and "Sonia" would not
be released as part of any deal.

--------------
FARC Already Violating GOC Non-Negotiables
--------------

6. (C) El Tiempo Editor Enrique Santos told us prospects for
progress on an exchange appeared bleak. The FARC and Chavez
appeared to be using "dilatory tactics" as shown by Chavez'
claim that a commitment by FARC leader Manuel Marulanda to
order the provision of proof of life--instead of providing
proof life--constituted progress. Santos said the FARC's
violation of the terms of Granda's release from prison--as
well as the second of the GOC's non-negotiable points--on the
eve of the meeting with Chavez was another negative sign. The
FARC issued a photograph of Granda with Secretariat member
Ivan Marquez on November 5. Granda also issued a communique
on November 6 celebrating his return to the struggle and the
"mountains of Colombia."


Brownfield