Secretary Rice's Meeting with Colombian

UNCLAS PARTO 020501 (Note: the unique message record number (MRN) has been modified. The original MRN was 08 PARTO 000001, which duplicates a previous PARTO telegram number.) SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT. PLEASE PASS TO USTR, AARON ROSENBERG, AND BENNETT HARMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OVIP RICE CONDOLEEZZA ETRD ECIN EINV ELAB PGOV, PHUM, PREL, PTER, SMIG, CO SUBJECT: Secretary Rice's Meeting with Colombian Demobilized Paramilitary Combatants ¶1. (U) January 25, 2008; 10:45 a.m.; Medellin, Colombia. ¶2. (U) Participants: United States The Secretary Ambassador William Brownfield Representative Melissa Bean Representative Eliot Engel Representative Jane Harman Representative Alcee Hastings Representative Ron Klein Representative Rick Larsen Representative Solomon Ortiz Representative Ed Perlmutter Representative David Scott A/S Jeffrey Bergner, H A/S Sean McCormack, PA A/S Tom Shannon, WHA A/S Daniel Sullivan, EEB S Chief of Staff Brian Gunderson Director of House Affairs Scott Kamins Deputy Executive Secretary Kevin Whitaker Carolyn Cooley, Embassy Notetaker COLOMBIA Medellin Mayor Alonso Salazar Jaramillo Ambassador Carolina Barco National Planning Director Carolina Renteria High Commissioner for Reintegration Frank Pearl Demobilized Paramilitary Combatants ¶3. (SBU) SUMMARY. The Secretary and accompanying CODEL met with High Commissioner for Reintegration Frank Pearl, who described the successes and challenges of helping demobilized paramilitaries adapt to society. During breakout sessions with demobilized individuals, former fighters shared their personal histories, conveying a message of renewed optimism and appreciation for the Government of Colombia and the city of Medellin. Many noted the improved security situation contributes to safer communities and creates positive conditions for their reintegration. END SUMMARY. -------------- COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO DEMOBILIZED -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Pearl outlined the Colombian government's program for demobilized combatants, reporting that 46,000 combatants had demobilized in the last five years. He said the average age of an ex-combatant is 26 and 50 percent cannot read or write. The program aims to help the demobilized register and comply with program requirements, such as psycho-social counseling, home visits, and a pledge against returning to criminal activity. The reintegration program also provides educational and vocational training, and engages demobilized with local communities. The majority of demobilized are former United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia members, although 2,600 Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia members have also joined the program, including 150 in the past month. ¶5. (SBU) Pearl said finding secure employment for demobilized paramilitary remains a challenge. Still, almost 19,000 work in the informal sector with only some 3,000 participants having returned to crime. More formal sector jobs, such as would be generated by the bilateral Trade Promotion Agreement, would help strengthen the reintegration program and prevent recidivism. -------------- DEMOBILIZED EXPERIENCE: SHARED OPTIMISM -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The Secretary's break out group included Representatives Engel and Ortiz, Ambassador Brownfield, Mayor Salazar, Pearl, and six demobilized paramilitaries. The ex-combatants' individual stories emphasized common themes: satisfaction with their reinsertion into civil life, appreciation of the support provided by the Medellin community, and recognition of the Colombian government's security improvements. ¶7. (SBU) Two demobilized paramilitaries described their efforts to create "peace for all" in their jobs working with the displaced and victims of violence. Another noted communities throughout the country are now much safer due to the improved security. Many families and neighborhoods at last have "tranquility". One participant told the Secretary: "I am a new man. I can eat, sleep, and study here in peace. Medellin is the best city in the world." ¶8. (SBU) The Secretary asked if they regretted their actions as paramilitaries; one replied that they had demobilized because of regret. The only woman in the group said she wanted to ensure her children did not follow the same violent path. Representative Engel asked about demobilized paramilitaries returning to delinquency. The group told him recidivism rarely occurs in Medellin where the demobilized receive strong community support. RICE