FARC ANNOUNCES PENDING RELEASE OF THREE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 008618

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2017
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL PREF PHUM CU FR VZ CO
SUBJECT: FARC ANNOUNCES PENDING RELEASE OF THREE
HOSTAGES

Classified By: Political Counselor John S. Creamer.
Reason: 1.4 (b) and (d)




1. (C) SUMMARY: The GOC welcomed the December 18
announcement by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia (FARC) that it would release three hostages -
Clara Rojas, her son Emmanuel, and former
Congresswomen Consuelo Gonzales de Perdomo - to
Venezuelan President Chavez or "whomever he
designates," but reiterated its offer of an "encounter
zone" for GOC-FARC talks on a humanitarian accord.
Senator Piedad Cordoba and President Hugo Chavez
praised the FARC's move and vowed continued efforts
for a humanitarian exchange. GOC Secretary of the
Presidency Bernardo Moreno told us the FARC
announcement was a strategic move to put pressure on
Uribe to accept a demilitarized zone (despeje) for
talks and voiced concern that the Cubans may be
advising Chavez and the FARC. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) On December 18, the Secretariat of the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) released
a communique (dated December 9, the 17th anniversary
of the Colombian army's assault on a FARC sanctuary in
Casa Verde, Meta),criticizing President Uribe for
"slamming the door" on facilitation efforts by
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and Colombian Senator
Piedad Cordoba. The FARC reiterated its demand for a
demilitarized zone in Florida and Pradera
municipalities for 45 days to negotiate a humanitarian
accord and thanked Chavez for his "dedication and
colossal efforts." The FARC said it will free Ingrid
Betancourt's 2002 running mate, Clara Rojas, and her
son Emmanuel, who was born in captivity, along with
former Congresswoman Consuelo Gonzales de Perdomo, to
Venezuelan President Chavez or "whomever he
designates".


3. (U) GOC Peace Commissioner Carlos Restrepo welcomed
the FARC's commitment to unilaterally release the
hostages, and repeated the GOC's willingness to open
an "encounter zone" for talks with the FARC. He also
urged Chavez to moderate his rhetoric and to show
respect for Colombia. Senator Piedad Cordoba said the
FARC would have released as many as 25 hostages if
Uribe had not suspended her and President Chavez'
efforts to facilitate an exchange. She promised to
continue to work to obtain the hostages' freedom
despite Uribe's action, noting she had a mandate from
the hostages' families. Chavez praised the FARC's act
of good faith despite Uribe's recent "brutal decision"
to remove him as a facilitator. Chavez said he would
not speak to Uribe, but assured FARC leader Manuel
Marulanda that he hoped to continue efforts to achieve
a humanitarian exchange. He reiterated that Venezuela
would never be "blackmailed" into labeling the FARC as
terrorists or enemies.


4. (C) GOC Secretary of the Presidency Bernardo Moreno
told us December 19 that the FARC's release of Rojas,
Emmanuel, and Gonzalez was an astute strategic move
that would put pressure on Uribe to accept a despeje
and the return of Cordoba and Chavez as facilitators.
The release of Emmanuel would generate an emotional
reaction from the Colombian public, especially at
Christmas, and the GOC expects elements of the
media--along with Cordoba and some family members--to
renew calls for a despeje. Political operator Alvaro
Leyva--working with former Presidents Samper and
Pastrana--would also try to create a national movement
in favor of a despeje.


5. (C) Moreno said the GOC is determined to resist
this pressure. Uribe will not accept the return of
Chavez and Cordoba given their past track record and
continuing verbal attacks on the GOC. He also
predicted that Uribe would not yield on a despeje.
Most Colombians oppose a humanitarian accord involving
a despeje, and the GOC plans to mobilize this public

sentiment. (Note: Presidential Communications director
Jorge Eastman told us December 17 that a December 7
Casa Narino poll showed 55% of Colombians oppose a
despeje even to promote a humanitarian accord.)
Agricultural Minister Arias will travel to Pradera and
Florida to organize protests against their
demilitarization, and GOC officials will publicly
stress the long history of failed negotiations with
the terrorist group. Moreno said the GOC will also
continue to push its "encounter zone" initiative as a
reasonable alternative to a despeje.


6. (C) Moreno voiced concern that the Cubans may be
advising Chavez and the FARC on their latest moves,
noting that the Cuban Embassy provided the GOC with
the FARC communique. He added that the GOC is
uncertain how far Chavez will go in cutting bilateral
commercial ties. Many Colombian businesses depend
heavily on the Venezuelan market, and this will put
additional pressure on the GOC. Still, Moreno said
the GOC understands the inherent instability of the
Venezuelan economy makes it dangerous to depend too
heavily on exports to its neighbor. By forcing
Colombian business to explore alternative markets, the
current commercial tensions could help Colombia in the
long run.

Brownfield