DNA EVIDENCE CONFIRMS IDENTITY OF "EMMANUEL" BORN

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000054 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR PREF PREL PTER VZ CO SUBJECT: DNA EVIDENCE CONFIRMS IDENTITY OF "EMMANUEL" BORN IN FARC CAPTIVITY REF: A. BOGOTA 005 ¶B. 07 BOGOTA 8723 ¶1. Prosecutor General Mario Iguaran confirmed at a press conference on January 4 that results from DNA testing indicate with "high probability" that the boy in state custody known as Juan David Gomez Tapiero is Emmanuel, the son of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) hostage Clara Rojas. Blood samples from Rojas, mother and brother provided the scientific evidence to prove the relationship. Iguaran acknowledged that mitochondrial DNA evidence -- while not 100 percent positive -- demonstrates with high probability that the boy is a member of the Rojas family. This evidence has also been sent to Spain for independent verification. Iguaran added that the DNA results are consistent with other evidence indicating Juan David is Emmanuel, including testimony by former hostage Jhon Frank Pinchao and the individual who turned the child into Family Welfare Services. ¶2. The announcement supports the GOC "hypothesis" that the FARC did not release their three hostages--Clara Rojas, Emmanuel, and former Congresswoman Consuelo Gonzales de Perdomo--as promised to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, because they did not have custody of Emmanuel. Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo said this proves the FARC has manipulated and constantly lied to the Colombian people, the international community and "any government willing to listen to it." Venezuela's Foreign Minister alleged that the GOC's refusal to turn over DNA evidence to Venezuela for further testing is a smokescreen, casting doubt over the child's identity. Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo called on the FARC to fulfill its commitments and immediately release Rojas and Perdomo. ¶3. On January 3, the Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza called on President SIPDIS Uribe and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to stop blaming each other for the failed hostage rescue mission and offered to mediate between the two countries. He said regional bickering was emboldening the "unpredictable and hermetic" FARC in its quest for publicity. That same day, the FARC released a statement calling for an all-out offensive against the GOC in 2008 with no mention of any of the hostages it is holding. Nichols