COLOMBIA ACCEPTS POLICY PLANNING TALKS

UNCLAS BOGOTA 002611 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR S/P FRANCISCO GONZALEZ E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM EAID MARR CO SUBJECT: COLOMBIA ACCEPTS POLICY PLANNING TALKS REF: STATE 82254 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, PLEASE HANDLE ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (SBU) We delivered S/P's invitation to policy planning talks at the Department, the draft agenda and the talking points (per reftel) to MFA Vice Minister Clemencia Forero and the MFA North America office on August 10. On August 18, MFA North America Director Adriana Maldonado confirmed that Colombia would participate, that the proposed September 14 date would be fine, and that VM Forero would lead the Colombian delegation. Vice Minister of Defense Sergio Jaramillo, who participated in the S/P talks in 2008, will likely participate this year as well. ¶2. (SBU) Maldonado asked if there would be enough time to cover the broad agenda in just one day, adding that VM Forero could remain in Washington through September 15 for additional talks or other activities, if Department so indicates. Maldonado requested clarification on the following proposed topics: Making Multilateralism Work: Reforming/Expanding Global and Regional Institutions; and 21st Century Statecraft, Use of New Technologies, etc. She also asked which USG offices would be participating in the talks, in order to help the GOC select the appropriate delegation. ¶3. (U) Any follow-up information can be transmitted through Deputy Political Counselor Marcos Mandojana (MandojanaMC@state.gov or MandojanaM@state.sgov.gov). Brownfield