SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE

UNCLAS BOGOTA 001539 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE PLEASE PASS MCC FOR MBOHN, SRHODES, SGAULL, MTEJADA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EFIN PGOV PREL OVIP EAID SNAR CO SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION TO BOGOTA AND CALI MAY 17-23, 2009 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Your trip to Colombia will allow you the opportunity to see the incredible progress Colombia has made from a near failed state to an economic, political, and social leader in Latin America over the last decade. Despite Colombia's significant progress, USG support remains critical to help the GOC confront its persistent challenges, particularly narcotics trafficking and the illegal armed groups that the drug trade fuels. Infrastructure, neglected for decades, remains a significant brake on Colombia's economic growth, and will likely be a focus of GOC interest for your visit. Ports, roads, rivers, energy transmission, and telecommunications in many areas are inadequate, particularly on the Pacific coast. The GOC has high expectations for your visit, which we must manage very carefully. End Summary. Economic Growth and Free Trade -------------- ¶2. (SBU) After several years of strong economic growth, Colombia has begun to feel the pinch of the global economic crisis. Growth slowed to 2.5 percent in 2008 after a record rate of 7.5 percent in 2007. Recent growth projections for 2009 range from -1 to 1 percent. Reacting to the anticipated economic slowdown in 2009, the Government of Colombia (GOC) plans to cut the national budget by $1.4 billion. The cuts include defense spending and social programs that are critical to addressing many of the catalysts for the civil conflict. The slowing economy and a pyramid scheme scandal in 2008 that cost Colombians an estimated $1 billion in savings has led to growing popular concern over pocketbook issues. Further economic decline could generate more social unrest, strikes and protests in Colombia in the run up to the May 2010 national elections. ¶3. (SBU) Colombia remains highly dependent on commodity exports (petroleum, coal, flowers, coffee),making it vulnerable to price drops. Colombia cut unemployment and poverty during the past six years, but those gains have stalled. The financial sector remains solid -- cushioned to date against the global credit crunch by conservative lending practices. The GOC inked trade deals with Canada, Chile, Central America, and smaller European countries in the last few years. The GOC is now negotiating an agreement with the EU. The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CPTA) remains a bilateral priority for the Colombian government and private sector. Democratic Security Advances -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Colombia has achieved successes in its fight against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC),National Liberation Army (ELN) and emerging criminal groups. The rescue of 15 high-profile FARC hostages in July 2008, including three Americans, and the deaths of key FARC leaders highlight Colombia's progress in security. Colombian security forces captured or killed a number of mid-level FARC leaders, and reduced the space in which terrorists can operate freely. A record number of FARC members deserted in 2008--including mid and high-level commanders. Total demobilizations of illegal armed groups reached 3,461 in 2008--primarily from the FARC--making it the highest level of demobilizations in Colombia's history. ¶5. (SBU) With USG help, in 2008, Colombia again set records in eradication and interdiction of drugs, while further reducing murder and kidnapping rates. Colombia extradited a record 208 criminals, narcotraffickers and terrorists to the United States in 2008, including 15 senior ex-paramilitary leaders; Colombia has already extradited more than 20 criminals in 2009. The number of homicides fell for the sixth consecutive year, dropping to 16,140 (or 33 for every 100,000 habitants),45 percent lower than 2002 levels. Regional Context -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Colombia sees itself as a key U.S. ally in an Andean region increasingly hostile to U.S. values and goals. Ecuador broke diplomatic relations with Colombia after a military strike in March 2008 against FARC Commander Raul Reyes's camp just across the border in Ecuador. The GOC maintains a moderate tone with Ecuadorian President Correa, despite his often angry rhetoric. Ecuador recently imposed strict requirements on Colombians wishing to travel to their southern neighbor. ¶7. (SBU) Relations with Venezuela are now stable, and have improved since Venezuela recalled its ambassador following the Reyes attack. Presidents Uribe and Chavez met in late January 2009 in Cartagena and again in April in Caracas, announcing several vague economic cooperation agreements. However, Colombia remains wary of Venezuelan ties to the FARC, as evidenced in the computers found in the Raul Reyes camp. Beyond the Andes, Colombia is helping Mexico to combat terrorism, narcotrafficking and other criminal activity. Colombia is also working with Mexico, Chile, Peru and Brazil to promote economic integration and strengthen democratic institutions in Latin America. Colombia has also offered to send engineering and special forces to Afghanistan under NATO auspices, and contributes troops to the Multi-National Observer Forces in the Sinai. Serious Challenges Ahead -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Despite advances in security and development, challenges related to violence, narcotrafficking, displacement, human rights, labor rights, and minority groups remain. We estimate the FARC has some 9000 fighters in the field, and organized narcotrafficking groups continue to cause violence. Internal displacement due to the armed conflict remains serious, with three million displaced by violence since 1995. Deep historical social divides make it difficult for millions from the Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations to benefit fully from security and economic gains. These minority groups suffer from limited education, health care, infrastructure and employment opportunities, and disproportionate forced displacement in the mostly isolated rural areas where they reside. ¶9. (U) Through the Center for Coordinated and Integrated Action (CCAI),the GOC is recovering territory previously held by illegal armed groups and establishing government, state services and securing vulnerable communities. In 2008, the GOC reestablished a government presence in all 1098 municipalities and all the country's mayors once again resided within their municipalities. A coordination plan for Macarena--the historic heartland of the FARC--aims to establish a permanent military, police and civilian presence in post-conflict areas--some of which have never seen a viable GOC presence. Challenges remain, as resource, security and staffing shortfalls continue to limit the initiative. The United States, through USAID, MILGRP and NAS, provides assistance to CCAI. Infrastructure and Development -------------- ¶10. (U) Infrastructure, neglected for decades, remains a significant brake on Colombia's economic growth, and will likely be a focus of GOC interest for your visit. Ports, roads, rivers, energy transmission, and telecommunications in many areas are inadequate. As a result of the economic slowdown, the GOC has postponed some 2009 administrative outlays, accelerated infrastructure spending, and sought out new trade and investment flows. GOC officials plan to accelerate already-planned infrastructure investment, with USD 4.5 billion appropriated for the sector in 2009. The GOC plans major improvements to highways from Bogota to Cali and Medellin. Private investors have bankrolled hundreds of millions of dollars of upgrades at ports in Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Buenaventura. However, these projects lack strong interconnection with the road and air network, preventing them from spurring growth. Major mass transit projects are also up and running or planned for Colombia,s largest cities, including a subway system for Bogota. Conversely, Colombia's interior remains sparsely populated and under developed. Less than ten percent of the population lives in the vast area east of the Andes and few roads or viable regional markets exist in the interior. Perhaps a third of the country enjoys protected status as a national park, reserve, or indigenous reservation, making it unsuitable for development. USAID: Aiding Communities At Risk -------------- ¶11. (U) Under Plan Colombia, the USG has provided more than $950 million in economic and social assistance via USAID. USAID's initiatives have delivered legal jobs, social services, and development in narcotrafficking and conflict zones. We are helping to reintegrate thousands of Colombians who have demobilized, abate child recruitment into armed groups, and increase social services for victims of conflict. We are striving to restore citizen confidence in governance, improving the criminal justice system and institutions, increasing the poor's access to justice, and promoting human rights through investigation and prosecution of human rights and labor-related cases. These programs focus on communities at high-risk of violence, provide legal and psycho-social assistance, and strengthen key Government oversight and judicial institutions. ¶12. (U) USAID's alternative development program is a key component of our counter-narcotics efforts. It promotes sustainable economic opportunities in regions vulnerable to drug production and conflict. These programs create jobs and economic opportunities in areas recently retaken from illegal armed groups and build the social infrastructure to mitigate future conflict. USAID is expanding social and economic opportunities and improving livelihoods for Afro-Colombians and indigenous communities disproportionately affected by conflict. These programs provide jobs, education, health care housing, and social services for these vulnerable populations. DOJ: Providing Justice Reform -------------- ¶13. (U) The Department of Justice (DOJ) coordinates a multifaceted program focused on strengthening the Colombian criminal justice system, its institutions, processes and personnel. This program involves six major areas: implementation of an accusatory system; human rights investigations and prosecutions; Justice and Peace investigations and prosecutions; complex areas of criminal law; improved forensics capability; and witness protection. The bulk of the assistance is provided through training and technical assistance to the Prosecutor General's Office. NAS: Eradicating, Training, Nationalizing -------------- ¶14. (U) We made real strides in battling narcoterrorism in Colombia in 2008. The most recent U.S. figures for cocaine production in Colombia show a 24 percent reduction in production since the peak year 2001. In 2008, Colombian security forces seized 245 metric tons of cocaine and coca paste, eradicated 230,000 hectares of coca and destroyed 3667 drug labs. We kept hundreds of metric tons out of the United States. We have reduced the funds available to the FARC and other criminal groups for the purchase of weapons and explosives, corruption of public officials, and coercion of local populations. New Initiatives -------------- ¶15. (SBU) We are working with the GOC, other governments, and international organizations to develop an initiative to consolidate the gains made to date in key conflict areas. The initiative builds on current and past USG and GOC programs, and involves close coordination of security, eradication, alternative development, energy, and institutional development programs. The initiative's primary goal is to provide incentives for Colombian citizens to join the licit economy in the conflict zones plagued by coca cultivation, narcotrafficking and illegal armed groups. These targeted regions produce roughly 80 percent of the coca in Colombia and serve as major trafficking hubs, with a high incidence of violence and displacement. Nichols