US embassy cable - 04BOGOTA11422

UNCLAS BOGOTA 011422 
 
SIPDIS 
 
WHA FOR MIELE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, EAID, CO, CODEL 
SUBJECT: REP BALLENGER RECEIVES ORDER OF SAN CARLOS MEDAL 
FROM GOC 
 
 
1. On October 27, President Uribe presented Representative 
Cass Ballenger with the Order of San Carlos medal and thanked 
him for his long-standing support.  On the margins of the 
ceremony, Ballanger told Uribe about his trip to the USAID 
alternative development projects in Putumayo Department and 
praised Uribe for his progress in two years.  Ballenger 
suggested that the GOC consider working with USAID to 
construct a road to connect the Putumayo lumber producers 
with customers.  He pledged to remain engaged in the 
international coffee cooperation and other Colombian issues 
after his retirement from the Congress. 
 
2 (U) Begin unofficial translation of the GOC award: 
 
Decree 2582 of August 12, 2004 
Which confers the Medal of the "Order of San Carlos" 
 
The President of the Republic of Colombia 
By the authority invested upon him and particularly that 
conferred by decrees 2397 of 1954, 3363 of 1980 and 1220 of 
2001 and 
 
Whereas: 
 
The Government of Colombia has instituted the Order of St. 
Carlos to honor and extol Colombian and foreign nationals who 
have distinguished themselves for their outstanding services 
to the country, especially in the field of international 
relations. 
 
The Honorable Congressman Cass Ballenger (R-NC), member of 
the Foreign Relations Committee, is visiting our country as a 
token of his continuous interest for the social and political 
well-being of our country. 
 
During the exercise of his legislative duties, the Honorable 
Representative Cass Ballenger has given tangible proof of 
support to the initiatives of the Government of Colombia in 
his quest for the country's highest interests, through key 
cooperation programs developed within the framework of Plan 
Colombia, aimed at securing the safety of all Colombians, the 
promotion of human rights and social investment; 
 
As a Congressman, the Honorable Cass Ballenger has taken up 
the defense of democratic values, which foundations lay on 
the respect for the state of law and the strengthening of 
institutions and political stability.  These foundations are 
shared by the Government of Colombia in application of the 
policy of democratic security. 
 
The Honorable Cass Ballenger has crystallized his solidarity 
with the country in critical events such as the earthquakes, 
which hit the coffee region in 1999, and has supported 
important social programs ) such as PLANTE ) which promote 
the development of alternative crops in conflict areas. 
 
The Government of Colombia wishes to grant recognition and 
exalt the virtues of the Honorable Congressman Cass 
Ballenger: 
 
Decrees: 
 
Article one: That the Medal of San Carlos, in the grade of 
the Great Cross, is conferred to the Honorable Cass 
Ballenger, Congressman of the United States of America. 
 
Article two: This decree becomes effective as of the date of 
issue. 
 
Given at Bogota, on August 12, 2004 
 
/s/ 
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolina Barco 
 
End text. 
 
3. (U) Comment: The decree was dated August 12 because it was 
drafted and approved for an earlier Ballenger visit postponed 
for health reasons.  End comment. 
DRUCKER