US embassy cable - 04BOGOTA3620

UNCLAS BOGOTA 003620 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT 
SUBJECT: 90-DAY GOALS UPDATE 
 
REF: BOGOTA 00552 
 
1.  (U) In January, U.S. Embassy Bogota identified three 
discrete goals which, with diligence, we sought to complete 
within the subsequent 90 days.  The following is an update as 
of March 31. 
 
NAS 
--- 
 
2. (SBU) NAS goal (abbreviated): We will develop an effective 
manual eradication option against coca and poppy cultivation, 
capitalizing on our extensive support to the Mobile Rural 
police (Caribineros). 
 
 
3. (SBU) Update: This 90-day goal was met.  NAS provided 
eight motorized brush cutters to Groupo Cabal Mechanizado 
(Mechanized Cavalry Group) in Ipiales (Narino Department) for 
use in opium poppy eradication operations.  Jurisdiction of 
this group includes areas of significant opium poppy 
cultivation in the southeast sector of the department.  In 
the first 90 days of CY 2004 the unit eradicated 182 hectares 
of opium poppy, compared to 152 hectares in CY 2003. 
 
USAID 
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4. (SBU) USAID goal (abbreviated): USAID will provide expert 
assistance to help the GOC design a comprehensive 
Demobilization and Reintegration (DR) program for illegal 
armed groups that enter into a peace agreement with the 
government. 
 
5. (SBU) Update: This 90-day goal was met.  Assistance 
provided through USAID permitted the GOC to design a 
comprehensive DR program for illegal armed groups and, in 
particular, members of paramilitary organizations such as the 
AUC (United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia).  The final GOC 
DR roadmap will be forwarded to Washington for interagency 
use.  Development of this program also helped the GOC improve 
its own interagency coordination, prepare for the initiation 
of the Organization of American States verification mission, 
and position itself to gain wider international support for 
the DR process. 
 
RSO 
--- 
 
6. (SBU) RSO goal (abbreviated):  RSO will oversee the 
creation of a new, permanent anti-kidnapping training (AKI) 
facility at the police training base at Sibate (Cundinamarca 
Department). 
 
7. (SBU) Update: This 90 day goal was completed.  The new 
anti-kidnapping training facility began operations at the CNP 
police training base in Sibate on January 26.  The first CNP 
GAULA unit graduated on March 5.  Development of the AKI 
school included construction of classrooms, dormitories, and 
a storage area for weapons, ammunition, and other sensitive 
equipment.  Construction of a state of the art shoot house 
and long arm firing range was also completed. 
WOOD