BELGIANS AGREE IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP PRESSURE ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001130 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2018 TAGS: COL VE HR EUN PTER AF SNAR PGOV PREL BE SUBJECT: BELGIANS AGREE IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP PRESSURE ON FARC AND ALSO TO HELP COLOMBIA MORE REF: STATE 77205 Classified By: POL MGURIAN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) POLCOUNS discussed talking points reftel with MFA Head of the Latin America Office, Amb. Jan Van Dessel. Van Dessel fully agreed it is important to keep pressure on the FARC. He noted there should be more U.S.- EU cooperation on the whole range of problems, from narcotics interventions to institution building and development assistance. An integrated policy in a transatlantic declaration, Van Dessel declared, would be much more productive than fighting over sanctions issues for CUBA and Venezuela. ¶2. (C) Van Dessel suggested the USG also look at an integrated policy to help Colombia. He expressed surprise the USG continues to block the FTA with Colombia, saying an FTA would be "a clear and loud signal" of support. Since Colombia is working to make changes, even though some violations of rights continue, it is important to work with them to help them make these changes. An FTA would, Van Dessel stated, make a difference. BUSH .