(S/NF) COLOMBIAN MILITARY TOPICS (C-AL9-00777)

S E C R E T STATE 041013 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2034 TAGS: PINR MASS PHUM PREL CO SUBJECT: (S/NF) COLOMBIAN MILITARY TOPICS (C-AL9-00777) REF: A. 09 BOGOTA 000526 ¶B. 09 BOGOTA 000319 ¶C. 08 BOGOTA 003604 ¶D. 08 BOGOTA 003582 ¶E. 08 BOGOTA 003278 ¶F. 09 BOGOTA 000401 Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C). ¶1. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS APPRECIATE POST'S EFFORTS TO PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO COLOMBIAN AND FARC MILITARY AND SECURITY ISSUES. MANY OF THE REPORTS RECEIVED HAVE BEEN USED IN ANALYTICAL PIECES AND HAVE HELPED TO FURTHER ANALYSTS' AND POLICYMAKERS' UNDERSTANDING OF KEY MILITARY AND SECURITY ISSUES IN COLOMBIA. AS TIME AND RESOURCES PERMIT, ANALYSTS WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE FURTHER REPORTING ON COLOMBIAN MILITARY PLANS AND PRECEPTS. ¶A. (S/NF) HOW IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COLOMBIA AND ISRAEL? IS COLOMBIA SEEKING ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE (MATERIEL AND TRAINING) FROM ISRAEL? WHAT IS THE STATUS OF COLOMBIAN WEAPONS PROCUREMENTS FROM ISRAEL? IS COLOMBIA REACHING OUT TO ANY OTHER COUNTRIES FOR MILITARY ASSISTANCE? IF SO, WHICH COUNTRIES AND WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING TO GAIN FROM THEM? AT WHAT PRICE MIGHT THIS ASSISTANCE COME? ¶B. (S/NF) WHAT PROGRESS HAS COLOMBIA MADE REGARDING HUMAN RIGHTS? HOW HAVE THE RECENT NEW HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVES BEEN RECEIVED BY THE RANK AND FILE CADRE? DOES THE MILITARY FEEL WARY ABOUT CONDUCTING OPERATIONS FOR FEAR THEY WILL BE BROUGHT UP ON HUMAN RIGHTS CHARGES? HOW ARE THEY COMPENSATING FOR THAT? WHAT SPECIFIC ACTIONS IS THE COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT TAKING TO ROOT OUT HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE? ARE THERE SPECIFIC SENIOR OFFICERS WHO ARE PERCEIVED AS RESISTING OR ASSISTING THESE EFFORTS? HAVE EXTRAJUDICIAL EXECUTIONS INCREASED OR DECREASED IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE SOACHA SCANDAL? ARE THERE NEW MANIFESTATIONS OF EJES BEYOND "FALSE POSITIVES," SUCH AS ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES? ¶C. (S/NF) WHAT IS THE STATUS OF ARMY COMMADER GONZALEZ? WHAT IS HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH URIBE, MINISTER OF DEFENSE SANTOS, AND OTHER SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIALS? HOW IS HE PERCEIVED BY THE RANK AND FILE? HOW LONG DOES HE EXPECT TO HAVE HIS POSITION? ARE THERE ANY CANDIDATES SLOTTED TO REPLACE HIM? ARE THERE PLANS IN THE WORKS TO ORCHESTRATE HIS OUSTER? HOW MUCH LONGER DOES DEFENSE MINISTER SANTOS PLAN TO STAY IN OFFICE? WHO IS URIBE LIKELY TO CHOOSE AS SANTOS' SUCCESSOR? DOES SANTOS HAVE A PREFERRED SUCCESSOR? IF SO, WHO AND WHY? DO THE VICE MINISTERS OF DEFENSE PLAN TO STAY ON AFTER SANTOS LEAVES? IF NOT WHY, AND WHAT ARE THEIR FUTURE PLANS? WHAT WOULD URIBE'S LIKELY REACTION BE TO EXTERNAL PRESSURE TO REPLACE GONZALEZ PENA? HOW WILL THE DEPARTURE OF MINISTER SANTOS IMPACT THE MINISTRY'S HUMAN RIGHTS PERFORMANCE? ¶2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL9-00777 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. CLINTON =======================CABLE ENDS============================