US embassy cable - 04BOGOTA11207

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 011207 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PTER, ASEC, CO 
SUBJECT: URIBE ASKS VATICAN TO BROKER PRISONER EXCHANGE 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b) 
and (d). 
 
GOC Proposes Limited Humanitarian Exchange with FARC 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
1. (SBU) On October 28, GOC High Commissioner for Peace Luis 
Carlos Restrepo wrote an open letter to Papal Nuncio 
Beniamino Stella proposing that the Catholic Church mediate 
an exchange of 15 prisoners from both the GOC and the 
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).  Face-to-face 
negotiations between representatives of the GOC and FARC over 
a broader exchange would follow.  Restrepo's letter sent 
under Uribe's instructions is the latest iteration of GOC 
efforts to reach an exchange agreement with the FARC. 
Although both sides have expressed interest in an exchange, 
neither has been willing to cede on key preconditions for 
talks, such as the GOC's insistence that released FARC 
fighters not return to terrorist ranks, or the FARC's 
requirement that the GOC temporarily withdraw security forces 
from two southeastern municipalities. 
 
2. (C) Father Dario Echeverri (strictly protect), chairman of 
the Roman Catholic Church's National Conciliation Commission, 
told Embassy poloffs that the exchange proposal was generated 
in an October 27 meeting between three Church officials -- 
he, Archbishop of Medellin Luis Augusto Castro, and Cardinal 
Pedro Rubiano -- and Restrepo.  Echeverri said the Papal 
Nuncio, who is out of the country, responded favorably to the 
proposal in an October 28 conversation, but would need 
authorization from the Vatican to take on such a formal role. 
 Echeverri also noted that before the FARC would be likely to 
consider the proposal, the GOC would have to formally deliver 
it to FARC leaders.  This would most likely be done through 
the Church or the Swiss Embassy, neither of which, to 
Echeverri's knowledge, has been asked to do so.  Swiss 
Embassy officials welcomed the Church's possible role as a 
mediator, and hinted that, should the talks materialize, they 
would likely take place in their embassy or the Holy See's. 
 
 
GOC Prisoner Exchange Proposal 
------------------------------ 
 
3. (U) Begin informal translation: 
 
Bogota, October 28, 2004 
 
Monsignor Beniamino Stella 
Apostolic Nuncio of His Holiness 
 
Your Excellency: 
 
The Colombian government appreciates the Catholic Church's 
efforts in the search for a Humanitarian Accord that would 
allow us to free FARC hostages and permit their speedy return 
home. 
 
Mr. Nuncio, before you the government ratifies its will to 
advance a humanitarian accord according to the terms 
expressed to the Swiss government on July 23, 2004, made 
public on August 18: 
 
"The Government will unilaterally free, in accordance with 
Colombian laws, fifty guerrillas charged or found guilty of 
rebellion and offer them the opportunity to be reincorporated 
into society.  They will be offered two options: leave 
Colombia or remain in Colombia and participate in the 
National Government's reinsertion program.  These options 
will be extended under the auspices of the French government 
and Colombian Church. 
 
Subsequently, the guerrillas will free the political hostages 
and the members of the Public Forces currently being held. 
The release will be coordinated with the support of the 
Swiss, the French and the International Red Cross. 
 
To advance the creation of this agreement of intent, the 
national government proposes the following procedure: 
 
-- Reiterating the government's offer to free 15 guerrillas 
jailed for rebellion. 
 
-- The guerrillas will subsequently release, as proof of good 
will, a similar number of hostages. 
 
-- Immediately following the release, the government will 
meet with the FARC in an embassy in Bogota.  The Apostolic 
Nunciature of Colombia could be used for negotiations. 
 
-- The meeting will not exceed a period of five days and will 
only attempt to reach a prisoner exchange agreement. 
 
-- The International Red Cross may transport the FARC members 
to and from Bogota with the support of the Colombian Church. 
 
-- Military actions will not be suspended in any part of the 
national territory. 
 
Excellency: If the proposal is accepted, we hope we can 
depend on your valiant cooperation to move this new effort 
forward and relieve the suffering of those kidnapped and 
their families." 
 
End text. 
 
4. (C) Comment: The GOC's repeated attempts over the past 
several months to reach an exchange agreement with the FARC 
are a reflection of increased public interest, pressure from 
the families of hostages, a public campaign for an exchange 
by former President Samper, and the government's sincere 
desire to get prisoners released if it can do so without 
damaging its anti-terror efforts.  At the same time, it would 
be surprising if the FARC took any step that would bolster 
the Uribe Administration.  End comment. 
WOOD