GOA SUPPORTS U.S.-COLOMBIA DEFENSE COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001082 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/AND E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2019 TAGS: MARR PREL CO AU SUBJECT: GOA SUPPORTS U.S.-COLOMBIA DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT REF: STATE 86734 Classified by: Economic-Political Counselor J. Dean Yap for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) Polchief discussed reftel points August 25 with Andreas Melan, MFA Unit Chief for Latin America and the Caribbean. Melan said the GOA fully supports the U.S.-Colombia Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA). He said Austria shares the USG's concerns about narcotrafficking in the region and about Venezuelan support for the FARC. He averred that it was "clear" that Venezuela had sold Swedish anti-tank rockets to the FARC. Melan, who is scheduled to transfer to Lima in the fall to begin a tour as Ambassador, said he perceived a clear distinction between Colombia, where U.S. counternarcotics efforts are making an impact, and countries like Peru, where cooperation with the U.S. is lacking and narcotrafficking is on the rise. Melan said he did not believe the DCA would draw controversy within the EU. EACHO