Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BOGOTA4262
2008-11-28 21:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
COLOMBIANS MARCH - IN SMALLER NUMBERS - AGAINST
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 004262
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KJUS CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIANS MARCH - IN SMALLER NUMBERS - AGAINST
FARC AND KIDNAPPING
REF: A. 08BOGOTA2647
B. 08BOGOTA4134
C. 08BOGOTA3079
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor David M. Zimov
Reasons 1.4 (b and d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 004262
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KJUS CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIANS MARCH - IN SMALLER NUMBERS - AGAINST
FARC AND KIDNAPPING
REF: A. 08BOGOTA2647
B. 08BOGOTA4134
C. 08BOGOTA3079
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor David M. Zimov
Reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (U) Several thousand Colombians marched through the
country's major cities on November 28th to demand the FARC
and other illegal armed groups release the hostages they
still hold before Christmas. The disappointing turnout was
significantly smaller than the millions who demonstrated to
release hostages on February 4, and again on July 20, 2008
(Ref A).
2. (U) Directors of the groups promoting the marches told the
media the low turnout was due to increasing apathy towards
the humanitarian exchange issue in the wake of Operation
Checkmate ("Jaque"),which freed high-profile hostage Ingrid
Betancourt, AMCITs Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes, and Keith
Stansell, and other Colombian hostages. Organizers said the
poor turnout was also the result of torrential rains that
recently inundated parts of the country, and to distractions
in the wake of the growing financial crisis and recent
pyramid-scheme scandals (Ref B). Betancourt called for the
marches in October, and reportedly told participants at a
concurrent rally in Madrid that she still believes a dialogue
with the insurgents is necessary.
3. (C) Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo told us
Operacion Jaque had taken both international and domestic
pressure off the GOC to engage in a humanitarian exchange
process with the FARC. The GOC was in no rush to engage with
the group until the FARC showed it was serious about
releasing hostages and starting peace talks. Leading
Invamer-Gallup pollster Jorge Londono told us the recent
pyramid crisis and pocketbook issues were moving up in
importance on the list of issues that concern Colombians--at
the expense of the humanitarian exchange. U Party
Representative Nicolas Uribe told us the march turnout was a
"disaster." His constituents, he said, were upset that
Betancourt did not attend. Also, after numerous recent
marches and protests from the indigenous, pyramid scheme
victims, and striking workers, the people "were getting sick
of marches."
BROWNFIELD
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KJUS CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIANS MARCH - IN SMALLER NUMBERS - AGAINST
FARC AND KIDNAPPING
REF: A. 08BOGOTA2647
B. 08BOGOTA4134
C. 08BOGOTA3079
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor David M. Zimov
Reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (U) Several thousand Colombians marched through the
country's major cities on November 28th to demand the FARC
and other illegal armed groups release the hostages they
still hold before Christmas. The disappointing turnout was
significantly smaller than the millions who demonstrated to
release hostages on February 4, and again on July 20, 2008
(Ref A).
2. (U) Directors of the groups promoting the marches told the
media the low turnout was due to increasing apathy towards
the humanitarian exchange issue in the wake of Operation
Checkmate ("Jaque"),which freed high-profile hostage Ingrid
Betancourt, AMCITs Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes, and Keith
Stansell, and other Colombian hostages. Organizers said the
poor turnout was also the result of torrential rains that
recently inundated parts of the country, and to distractions
in the wake of the growing financial crisis and recent
pyramid-scheme scandals (Ref B). Betancourt called for the
marches in October, and reportedly told participants at a
concurrent rally in Madrid that she still believes a dialogue
with the insurgents is necessary.
3. (C) Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo told us
Operacion Jaque had taken both international and domestic
pressure off the GOC to engage in a humanitarian exchange
process with the FARC. The GOC was in no rush to engage with
the group until the FARC showed it was serious about
releasing hostages and starting peace talks. Leading
Invamer-Gallup pollster Jorge Londono told us the recent
pyramid crisis and pocketbook issues were moving up in
importance on the list of issues that concern Colombians--at
the expense of the humanitarian exchange. U Party
Representative Nicolas Uribe told us the march turnout was a
"disaster." His constituents, he said, were upset that
Betancourt did not attend. Also, after numerous recent
marches and protests from the indigenous, pyramid scheme
victims, and striking workers, the people "were getting sick
of marches."
BROWNFIELD