Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09GUATEMALA947
2009-10-23 18:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:  

VISITING COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT URIBE OFFERS SECURITY POLICY

Tags:  PREL PGOV ECON GT 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGT #0947/01 2961808
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADCAEACB WSC3146-695)
R 231808Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0281
INFO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000947 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON GT
SUBJECT: VISITING COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT URIBE OFFERS SECURITY POLICY
PRESCRIPTIONS

SUMMARY

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000947

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON GT
SUBJECT: VISITING COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT URIBE OFFERS SECURITY POLICY
PRESCRIPTIONS

SUMMARY


1. (U) Colombian President Alvaro Uribe highlighted Colombia's
progress on security, social welfare, and economic development
during his one day visit to Guatemala, October 13. In doing so, he
keyed on the importance of security as a fundamental pre-condition
for attracting investment, making social progress, and promoting
democratic institutions. Confronting a deteriorating security
situation that has some parallels to Colombia's in the late 1990s,
Guatemalans were keen to hear Uribe's policy prescriptions and
lauded his achievements. End Summary.

URIBE HIGHLIGHTS GAINS; LINKS SECURITY, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIAL
PROGRESS


2. (U) Colombian President Alvaro Uribe paid a one-day visit to
Guatemala on October 13. In addition to a private meeting with
President Colom, Uribe made two similar speeches, one to Congress
and another to the Guatemalan Association of Managers (AGG). The
Ambassador and Emboffs attended the latter event. Guatemalan
President Colom made brief introductory remarks in which he
addressed Guatemala's low tax rate (9.9% of GDP) and noted that the
anemic rate of tax collection was insufficient to properly run the
state. Uribe spoke for over an hour and described in detail how
his government has made tremendous progress in ameliorating
Colombia's problems over the last seven years.


3. (U) Uribe highlighted significant security gains during his
presidency. Over the last seven years the homicide rate,
kidnapping rate and overall crime rate have all fallen
substantially. Colombian security forces have also made
significant gains against narco-traffickers and indigenous
terrorist organizations such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia (FARC). Further, Uribe mocked the idea that security is
an ideological value of the political left or right; instead, he
offered, "security is a democratic value."

MORE INVESTMENT AND MORE GRADUATES


4. (U) Uribe noted how increased security encouraged greater rates
of investment and social progress. Investment flows, stimulated by
better security and improved market access, in turn were major
drivers of economic growth. Uribe also observed that Colombia's
gains were enabled by comprehensive reform of state institutions
including those to the tax authority and national pension system.
Likewise, security gains are intrinsically linked to social
progress, he said. Colombian security forces have strengthened
relationships with communities, gaining the public's confidence and
increasing public collaboration with the security forces against
armed groups. Likewise, the more secure social environment,
alongside government education initiatives, has allowed for gains
in education as more students finish high school and university.


5. (U) Event attendees were highly responsive to the style and
substance of President Uribe's speech. Applause was frequent
during the address and the crowd offered a standing ovation at the
end. The large business audience was especially responsive to
Uribe's discussion of tax reform and the use of deferred taxes to
spur investment.


6. (SBU) Comment: Like Colombia in the late 1990s, Guatemala
currently faces an extremely challenging security situation, driven
in large part by narco-trafficking and its related crimes, as well
as a crisis in the state's rule of law institutions. As a result,
Uribe's policy prescriptions struck a chord with his Guatemalan
audience. It also helps explain broad support here for the
international community's efforts to support law enforcement and
judicial institutions. The positive response from the business
class to Uribe's tax reform points was noteworthy as the private
sector has historically been vehemently opposed to real tax reform.
End Comment.
ROBINSON