US embassy cable - 04BOGOTA12434

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 012434 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2014 
TAGS: PREL, ASEC, PGOV, KJUS, PTER, PHUM, CO 
SUBJECT: A/S TAYLOR MEETING WITH PRESIDENT URIBE 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (U) November 30, 2004, 5:00-5:30 p.m., Presidential 
Palace, Bogota. 
 
2. (U) Participants: 
 
U.S. 
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A/S Francis X. Taylor 
Ambassador William B. Wood 
Pamela Fierst, Special Assistant (DS) 
Mark Hunter, RSO 
Craig Conway, POL (notetaker) 
 
Colombia 
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President Alvaro Uribe 
Jaime Giron Duarte, MFA Vice Minister for Multilateral 
Affairs (Acting FM) 
Francisco Gonzalez, MFA Americas Division (notetaker) 
 
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Summary 
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3. (S) A/S Taylor and Ambassador Wood called on President 
Uribe on November 30.  Uribe expressed gratitude for 
President Bush's clear statement of support during his 
November 22 visit to Cartagena.  Taylor congratulated Uribe 
on the GOC's successes in improving security throughout the 
country.  Uribe acknowledged his tendency to disregard the 
advice of his protective detail, but noted his 
hands-in-the-crowd approach is essential to maintain public 
confidence in Government institutions.  Taylor thanked Uribe 
for facilitating the strong cooperation of GOC intelligence, 
military and police with the Embassy and effectively 
balancing a strong security policy with improved respect for 
human rights.  Uribe expressed his deep commitment to 
bringing the three U.S. hostages home safely.  Uribe promised 
the GOC would not make any decision on the extradition of 
high-ranking paramilitary leaders without first consulting 
the U.S.  End Summary. 
 
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U.S. Support Plays Key Role 
--------------------------- 
 
4. (C) President Uribe expressed appreciation for U.S. 
support, noting that many of the achievements of his 
administration are the direct result of U.S. assistance.  A/S 
Taylor congratulated Uribe on the GOC's success in reducing 
kidnappings and violent crime and stressed the USG's 
commitment to continue supporting the GOC.  Uribe expressed 
his personal gratitude for President Bush's public statement 
of support during his November 22 visit to Cartagena, which 
sent a clear message to illegal armed groups that there is no 
alternative to committing to a sincere peace process. 
Colombia is at a critical juncture and the success of pending 
large-scale paramilitary demobilizations will play a key 
role.  Uribe stressed his personal commitment to protect 
citizens and enhance the state's presence, particularly in 
areas where paramilitary groups demobilize.  Taylor commented 
on the importance of turning demobilized fighters into 
productive citizens. 
 
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VIP Protection and Anti-Kidnapping Training 
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5. (S) Uribe stated that U.S. training and equipping of his 
protection detail -- along with those of Vice-President 
Santos and MOD Uribe -- has been excellent.  Noting Uribe's 
hands-in-the-crowd approach to politics, Taylor cautioned 
that passage of re-election legislation increases the odds 
that Uribe will be the target of a terrorist assassination 
attempt.  Uribe acknowledged his tendency to disregard his 
protection detail's security protocols is "not good news" for 
his staff, but clarified he is not motivated by personal 
vanity, but committed to making a direct connection with the 
people in order to maintain the public's confidence in 
Colombia's democratic institutions.  Taylor noted the 
importance of striking a balance between security and public 
contact and reminded Uribe that a successful assassination 
attempt would be far more damaging to the public's 
confidence. 
6. (C) Taylor congratulated Uribe on the GOC's success in 
building on USG training for the GOC's anti-kidnapping units 
(GAULAs), pointing to concrete results in reducing the number 
of kidnappings.  He promised continued U.S. support for the 
GOC's efforts.  Uribe replied that preventing kidnappings is 
a top GOC priority. 
 
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Information Sharing 
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7. (C) Taylor noted that cooperation between the Embassy and 
the GOC's intelligence, military, and police agencies has 
been nearly flawless.  Information sharing between the 
Embassy and the GOC eliminates second-guessing in Washington 
and helps U.S. policymakers understand the intricacies of the 
situation on the ground.  Uribe said that U.S. and European 
understandings of Colombia's unique situation continue to 
improve and noted improvements in relationships with some 
NGOs, particularly Human Rights Watch. 
 
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Security and Human Rights 
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8. (C) Uribe confirmed his commitment to build an effective 
and transparent security policy.  Taylor responded that a 
good counterterrorism policy supports a good human rights 
policy.  Taylor congratulated Uribe for successfully 
implementing an effective security policy that has improved 
respect for human rights.  Uribe noted that the number of 
human rights complaints received by the GOC has declined 
steadily and that the public continues to press for increased 
state and military presence to fight illegal armed groups 
throughout the country.  While Uribe acknowledged that many 
problems remain, he reiterated his intent to work hard to 
solve them. 
 
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U.S. Hostages 
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9. (S) Taylor thanked Uribe for the remarkable level of 
cooperation and transparency in the effort to locate the 
three U.S. hostages and noted that continued cooperation is 
essential to securing their freedom.  Uribe said he was 
deeply committed to bring the three hostages home, as well as 
freeing any Colombian citizens who might be held in the same 
location.  Ambassador noted that communications with the MOD 
and General Ospina could not be better and applauded Uribe's 
commitment to include the U.S. hostages in any humanitarian 
exchange. 
 
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Extradition 
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10. (C) Uribe stressed his commitment to continue 
extraditions to the U.S. and to process extradition requests 
as quickly as possible.  He noted the importance of complete 
coordination and promised the GOC would not make any decision 
on the extraditions of high-level paramilitary leaders 
without first consulting the USG. 
 
11. (U) This cable has been cleared by A/S Taylor. 
WOOD