US embassy cable - 04BOGOTA3486

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 003486 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PTER, PHUM, PREF, CO, Demobilization, FARC, ELN, AUC 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH ICRC HEAD OF DELEGATION 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b)and 
(d).1. (C) 
 
SUMMARY: ICRC Head of Delegation Juan Pedro Schaerer 
visited Ambassador on April 1 to discuss ICRC concerns that 
paramilitary concentration related to demobilization would 
create security vacuums and increase the risk of FARC and ELN 
attacks against civilians.  Schaerer also confided that ICRC 
has observed increased nervousness among the FARC, ELN and 
AUC in the wake of GOC security forces' successes and 
observed that a larger number of detainees has not caused 
significant problems in Colombian prisons.  While Schaerer 
lamented that the GOC has been unable to focus its efforts on 
displacement issues, he agreed that the Colombian situation 
does not constitute an emergency.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (C) On April 1, Ambassador met with ICRC Head of 
Delegation Juan Pedro Schaerer to discuss his apprehensions 
about GOC/paramilitary demobilization negotiations.  Schaerer 
agreed that concentrating demobilized forces is the only way 
to accurately identify former combatants but expressed 
concern about a possible increase in forced displacements and 
violence against civilians by both the FARC and ELN if 
Colombian security forces prove unable to fill security 
vacuums left by concentrating forces.  Ambassador responded 
by noting that concentration is the only way to remove 
ambiguity during negotiations and observed that the 
capabilities of GOC security forces have improved 
dramatically over the past year. 
 
3. (C) Schaerer said ICRC has observed nervousness among 
paramilitaries with whom they had met.  Although some have 
indicated a willingness to disarm and face punishment, the 
majority worry about the possibility that the peace process 
might fail, primarily because most paramilitaries do not want 
to fight Colombian security forces and fear even more the 
possibility of fighting a two-front war against the GOC and 
the FARC and ELN.  Per Schaerer, the ELN has been weakened by 
the security forces' presence in all municipalities, which 
undermines ELN's urban base.  Schaerer also noted that 
high-level FARC commanders, in the wake of the arrests of 
"Simon Trinidad" and alias "Sonia," are more concerned with 
their own personal security.  Perhaps because senior leaders 
are reluctant to take security risks, ICRC officials have 
been meeting with lower ranking FARC commanders. 
 
4. (C) On prisons, ICRC has noted an increase in the number 
of detainees has not resulted in a corresponding increase in 
problems related to prisoner treatment.  Schaerer confided 
that a higher number of complaints have been reported against 
select GAULA units, but cautioned that the problems were not 
systemic.  Per Schaerer, although there has been an increase 
in the number of paramilitaries detained, the majority have 
been charged with crimes like extortion or illegal possession 
of a firearm.  Unlike members of the FARC and ELN, Schaerer 
explained, paramilitaries cannot be charged with rebellion 
because the GOC has not labeled them "subversive 
organizations.".  Schaerer promised to share with us any 
information ICRC develops on problem units within the 
security forces. 
 
5. (C) In response to a question, Schaerer said that although 
Colombia is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis, he does 
not believe the overall situation constitutes an emergency. 
Although the level of violence is high, Colombia's problems 
cannot be equated with those of countries like Sudan and 
Liberia.  Schaerer lamented that the GOC has not formulated a 
strategy on displaced persons that integrates the efforts of 
different government ministries.  He also noted that 
paramilitaries constitute the greatest threat to displaced 
populations, because paramilitaries have greater resources 
and a stronger presence in urban areas. 
WOOD