Ambassador Discusses DAS Scandal and Judicial Cooperation

S E C R E T BOGOTA 003333

SIPDIS
NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/09
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KJUS PHUM PTER CO
SUBJECT: Ambassador Discusses DAS Scandal and Judicial Cooperation
with Supreme Court President

REF: BOGOTA 3271 AND PREVIOUS

CLASSIFIED BY: William R. Brownfield, Ambassador; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Supreme Court President Augusto Ibanez thanked the
Ambassador for USG support in ensuring a successful U.S. visit for
Colombian judges and emphasized the Court's desire for ongoing
collaboration. The Ambassador impressed upon Ibanez the need for
continued exchange programs between U.S. and Colombian prosecutors
and judges to help strengthen the Colombian justice system,
particularly as a means for advancing languishing cases under the
Justice and Peace Law. Turning to the Administrative Department of
Security (DAS) scandal, the Ambassador stressed that the illegal
wiretapping of a U.S. official's conversation only reinforced the
USG's obligation to press for a transparent and expeditious
investigation. Given Colombia's experience in combating
narco-terrorism, the Ambassador also encouraged Colombia to help
other countries in the region currently confronting similar
challenges. End Summary.




2. (C) During a November 3 meeting with the Ambassador, JUDATT,
Justice Sector Reform Program Manager and poloff, Supreme Court
President Ibanez and accompanying magistrates were receptive to
furthering direct contact with U.S. judges and prosecutors,
particularly to facilitate extraditions under the Justice and Peace
Law. The Ambassador assured Ibanez that the USG continuously seeks
mechanisms to better assist Colombia, but needs Colombia's input on
future collaboration. As a follow-up to their September meeting in
Washington, Ibanez expressed his hope that U.S. Supreme Court
Justice Sonia Sotomayor would reciprocate a visit to Colombia in
2010 and suggested that U.S. prosecutors visit as well to observe
court hearings. Ibanez also berated local press for the way they
conduct interviews with family members of the victims of past
paramilitary activities. He stated such interviews falsely depict
the judicial system as lacking the will to resolve cases when the
reality is judges and prosecutors lack operational training.




3. (S/NF) The Ambassador reminded Ibanez that the USG was obligated
to closely monitor the DAS investigation, especially given evidence
that the DAS intercepted a call between the JUDATT and Supreme
Court Auxiliary Magistrate Ivan Velazquez (see reftel). The
Ambassador also warned that the Court would eventually have to get
involved as the investigation unfolded, notwithstanding Ibanez'
hesitance to offer substantive comment. The Ambassador expressed
optimism that guilty parties eventually would be brought to
justice, but stressed that Colombia's future intelligence agency
should work in lockstep with the judiciary to ensure transparency
in potential trial proceedings.




4. (C) The Ambassador suggested that Colombia assist other Latin
American countries facing narco-terrorism challenges, namely Mexico
- a growing USG concern. Colombia would likely be viewed as a more
credible regional expert, the Ambassador argued, given its history
of battling the same problems Mexico currently confronts. Ibanez
confirmed that he had institutional relations with Mexican
counterparts, had incorporated them into regional justice events,
and would look for more opportunities to do so. The Ambassador
encouraged the Supreme Court to seek opportunities for information
sharing and offered U.S. assistance in facilitating
Colombian-Mexican contact between judiciaries.
BROWNFIELD