US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA1306

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 BOGOTA 001306 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, EAID, PTER, KJUS, CO 
SUBJECT: URIBE OPENS CARTAGENA COORDINATION AND 
COOPERATION CONFERENCE 
 
1.  Summary:  On February 3 in Cartagena, President Uribe 
addressed representatives of 28 nations and multilateral 
organizations (still termed the G-24) at the day-long 
International Coordination and Cooperation Conference for 
Colombia.  Uribe stated that Colombia is not in conflict, 
but rather a robust democracy destabilized by terrorists 
committing violent acts.  He called upon the Congress to 
pass a truth, justice, and reparations bill to govern the 
demobilization and reinsertion of members of illegal armed 
groups (IAGs).  Regarding the FARC, Uribe stressed there 
would be no demilitarized zone and that guerrillas 
released from prison would not be allowed to return to 
lives of crime.  He blamed an intransigent ELN Central 
Command (COCE) for lack of progress in talks facilitated 
by Mexico (suggesting that earlier reports of an imminent 
meeting in Mexico were premature).  During the rest of the 
morning session, GOC officials including Interior and 
Justice Minister Pretelt, Peace Commissioner Restrepo, 
Cooperation Coordinator Hoyos, National Planning Director 
Montenegro, and Interior Ministry Reinsertion Program 
Coordinator Angel provided overviews of key issues. 
 
2.  Summary (continued):  VP Santos and FM Barco presided 
over the afternoon session during which G-24 members and 
various multilateral organizations offered critiqued the 
state of play in Colombia since the 2003 London 
Declaration.  U.S. Delegation head USAID Administrator 
Natsios reiterated strong support for Colombia's fight 
against terrorism and narcotics trafficking.  He lauded 
Colombia for effectively managing development assistance 
and urged other nations to up their contributions. 
Chilean Foreign Minister Ignacio Walker noted his 
country's "absolute, unconditional support" for Colombia's 
peace process.  Most of the remaining interventions, 
including those by the EU President (Luxembourg), other EU 
members, and Canada, cited progress but called on the GOC 
to implement the 27 recommendations of the UN High 
Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) and to adopt a 
truth, justice, and reparations bill to deal with the 
paramilitary peace process.  Many suggested that financial 
support for demobilization would follow these steps. End 
Summary. 
 
3.  On February 3, President Uribe opened the 
International Coordination and Cooperation Conference for 
Colombia with an impassioned, 65-minute speech to 
delegates from 28 nations and multilateral organizations 
(text of speech emailed to WHA/AND).  Just prior to the 
speech, Uribe held a breakfast meeting with AID 
Administrator Andrew Natsios, the U.S. Delegation Head, 
State WHA DAS Charles Shapiro, and the Ambassador 
(septel). 
 
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT URIBE 
-------------------------- 
 
4.  Uribe challenged the use of the term "conflict" to 
describe Colombia's internal situation.  Instead, 
Colombia's society, economy, and democratic institutions 
were under attack from terrorists.  He followed with a 
vigorous defense of Colombia's democracy, including the 
presence of elected mayors in virtually all 
municipalities.  He cited electoral successes of 
candidates from a wide spectrum of political parties as 
well as complete freedom of expression, and stressed that 
his "Democratic Security Policy" protects all Colombians, 
regardless of political philosophy or ideology. 
 
5.  Turning to the peace processes with guerrilla groups, 
Uribe said that cease-fires were urgent but that disarming 
and demobilization required patience.  Regarding the FARC, 
Uribe noted three GOC conditions: 
 
--The GOC would not consider a demilitarized zone; 
--Released guerrillas would not be allowed to return to 
lives of crime; and 
--The GOC must act in accordance with current laws; in 
particular, individuals who have committed crimes against 
humanity cannot be released or pardoned. 
 
6.  On the ELN front, Uribe welcomed Mexico's facilitator 
role and blamed intransigence and vanity on the part of 
the ELN Central Command (COCE) for the failure to attain 
real progress.  Uribe criticized COCE members for being 
"arrogant, messianic, and fundamentalist." 
 
7.  Regarding the paramilitary peace process, Uribe noted 
the successful demobilization of some 6000 AUC members and 
announced that Congress had been called into special 
session for the week of February 14 to begin debate on a 
truth, justice, and reparations bill.  He called for a 
legal framework for demobilization that is "credible, 
equitable, and universal," and strikes an effective 
balance between justice and peace.  He stressed that 
individuals who committed crimes against humanity would be 
imprisoned. 
 
8.  On socioeconomic issues, Uribe blamed narcoterrorists 
for Colombia's "social tragedy" and its lack of private 
enterprises.  He noted that during his Administration tax 
revenue as a percentage of GDP had risen two percentage 
points to 19 percent, a level comparable to many developed 
countries.  Uribe closed with a brief overview of GOC 
activities and spending on education and health care. 
 
OTHER GOC PRESENTATIONS 
----------------------- 
9.  Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo provided an 
overview of the ongoing peace process with the 
paramilitaries (AUC) and negotiations with the ELN.  He 
offered specifics on the numbers of demobilized AUC 
members and stressed the importance of the reduction of 
the number of actively armed individuals.  Interior and 
Justice Minister Sabas Pretelt addressed issues related to 
the legal framework for the paramilitary demobilization 
process.  Septel will report details of both the GOC and 
the Pardo Congressional group truth, justice, and 
reparations bills to be considered in the special session 
of Congress to convene on February 15. 
 
INTERGOVERNMENTAL DIALOGUE: USAID ADMINISTRATOR'S REMARKS 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
10.  In response to Uribe, USAID Administrator Andrew 
Natsios framed his remarks in terms of the donor consensus 
derived at the 2002 Financing for Development Conference 
in Monterrey (see Natsios' text for the record emailed to 
WHA/AND).  He noted the dual elements of the Monterrey 
Consensus--a commitment by developed countries to increase 
ODA and a commitment by developing countries to reforms to 
enhance the impact of development assistance.  With 
respect to the latter, Natsios underscored Colombia's 
impressive record of achieving results: doubling economic 
growth rates, reducing human rights abuses, and reducing 
corruption (noting that according to Transparency 
International, Colombia was the country which had improved 
the most over the past two years).  He urged other 
countries to increase their support because Colombia 
represented a good return on their investment due to 
robust democracy and the existence of a locally written 
national development plan that was being implemented and 
had wide popular support.  Natsios also welcomed internal 
debate on the peace process, stressing that historically 
such processes are only lasting if local actors play a key 
role in their development and implementation.  (The text 
of the Natsios' prepared remarks can be found on the 
Embassy website, usembassy.state.gov/colombia.) 
 
INTERVENTIONS BY OTHER DELEGATIONS 
---------------------------------- 
 
11.  Chilean FM Ignacio Walker, in turn, offered 
"absolute, unconditional support" for Colombia.  He 
stressed the importance of respect for human rights in the 
democratic process and thanked the assembled nations for 
their support for Chile's democratic transition in the 
1990s. 
 
12.  European Delegations and Canada focused their remarks 
on the need for the GOC to implement the UNHCHR 
recommendations and adopt a legal framework for the peace 
process, and that financial support for the peace process, 
including the ongoing demobilizations of the 
paramilitaries, would follow.  Luxembourg, speaking on 
behalf of the EU as rotating president, stressed that GOC 
implementation of the London Declaration was a cornerstone 
of EU-Colombia relations and noted four areas of EU 
support for Colombia: strengthening democracy and 
institutions; improvement in human rights practices; 
counter-narcotics; and respect for the environment and 
biodiversity.  Luxembourg also called on the IAGs to 
commit to genuine cease-fires. 
 
THE CARTAGENA DECLARATION 
------------------------- 
 
13.  At the end of the afternoon session, members of the G- 
24 adopted the Cartagena Declaration, which had been 
negotiated among G-24 members and with the GOC over the 
last few weeks, as a follow-up to the London Declaration 
of July 10, 2003.  The text highlights progress in 
Colombia since London and reflects Uribe's successful 
efforts to update the characterization of the internal 
situation in the country.  Although there is an explicit 
call for the GOC to adopt a credible legal framework for 
ongoing demobilizations and that international support 
would follow only after such a step was completed, press 
reports declared the text a strong endorsement of the 
Uribe Administration's efforts to bring peace to the 
country. 
 
14.  BEGIN INFORMAL TRANSLATION (Spanish text emailed to 
WHA/AND): 
 
On February 3 and 4, 2005, the second meeting of the Group 
for Coordination and International Cooperation for 
Colombia took place in Cartagena de Indias, with the aim 
of continuing the political and co-operation dialogue 
begun in London on July 10, 2003. 
 
The meeting was opened by the President of the Republic of 
Colombia, Alvaro Uribe Velez, and was attended by high- 
level representatives of the governments of Argentina, 
Brazil, Canada, Chile, the U.S., Japan, Mexico, Norway, 
Switzerland, the EU and its member states, the European 
Commission, the UN system, the CAF, the IDB, the IMF, the 
World Bank and the Colombian government. 
 
Colombia was represented by the President and Vice 
President of the Republic, the Minister for Foreign 
Affairs, the Peace Commissioner, the Director of the 
National Planning Department and the Presidential Adviser 
for Social Action, who presented progress achieved by 
government policies as well as in the different peace 
processes, in human rights and in the national strategy 
for international cooperation. 
 
The government representatives present, members of the G- 
24, reaffirming the London declaration, underlined the 
importance of the process begun there.  Furthermore, they 
recognized the efforts made, the mechanisms established, 
such as the follow-up committee, and the results achieved 
by the Colombian government in relation to the 
aforementioned declaration.  The participants welcomed 
favorably the points of view put forward by civil society 
as an important contribution to the construction of a 
dialogue leading toward peace. 
 
The governmental representatives present reaffirmed their 
support for the Colombian government in its efforts to 
improve the well being and security of all citizens, and 
in the fight against terrorism and illegal drugs.  They 
recognized the progress being made within a democratic 
context, improving governability, promoting the presence 
of the institutions of state and the organs of control to 
assure respect for the law and human rights, and, where 
applicable, International Humanitarian Law, throughout the 
country. 
 
They supported the efforts and recognized the progress 
made in the search for a peaceful negotiated solution to 
the situation of internal violence generated by the 
conflict with the illegal armed groups, highlighting the 
work undertaken by the office of the UN Secretary General, 
the OAS, the Catholic Church, the Mexican government and 
those of other counties. 
 
They demanded that the illegal armed groups commit 
themselves to a cessation of hostilities and a meaningful 
peace process, respect International Humanitarian Law and 
all the rights of all Colombians, stop attacking the 
civilian population, recruiting minors, and extorting, 
stop the production and export of illegal drugs and free 
immediately all hostages.  In this context, they 
underlined the benefits that could be gained from a 
humanitarian agreement taking into account the rule of law 
and International Humanitarian Law. 
 
They stressed the importance and relevance of the 
processes of disarmament, demobilization and reinsertion 
that have been taking place.  They underlined the need to 
complete the existing legal framework with legislation 
that would allow the realization of the principles of 
truth, justice, and reparation; furthermore, this would 
allow additional support to be given to these processes. 
 
They highlighted the progress made and the willingness of 
the government and state institutions to work towards the 
implementation of the recommendations of the UNHCHR, and 
encouraged them to continue their efforts in order to 
obtain results as quickly as possible.  In this sense, 
they underlined the importance of the government's 
initiative in developing a National Human Rights Action 
Plan, and its intention to draw it up in collaboration 
with a wide cross-section of Colombian society in order 
that it should contribute to the construction of an 
environment favoring harmonious co-existence, justice, and 
the construction of the fabric of society.  They took note 
of recent changes to the legal system, aimed at the 
strengthening of justice and of the fight against 
impunity. 
 
Recognizing the advances made, they urged the government 
to continue to strengthen its presence throughout the 
country, stressing the need to reinforce existing measures 
to guarantee the right to life and freedom of expression 
of trade unionists, journalists, human rights defenders, 
and civil society leaders in their important and 
legitimate work, urging it to maintain its firm commitment 
in this area.  They made a strong call to the illegal 
armed groups to respect these rights. 
 
They repeated their demand that the illegal armed groups 
should comply with the UNHCHR recommendations addressed to 
them. 
 
They congratulated the Colombian government for the recent 
destruction of mines stored by the armed forces, in 
fulfilment of the Convention on the Prohibition, Use, 
Storage, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines 
and their Destruction.  They recognized this step as 
another illustration of Colombia's commitment to the 
consolidation of International Humanitarian Law.  They 
demanded that the illegal armed groups stop immediately 
the production and use of anti-personnel mines. 
 
They recognized the government's efforts to improve the 
serious conditions faced by vulnerable sectors of the 
population, especially the displaced, indigenous and Afro- 
Colombian communities, and urged it to continue these 
efforts. They expressed the need to strengthen attention 
to this still worrying humanitarian situation. In this 
sense, they expressed support for efforts to find lasting 
solutions, such as the National Plan of Integrated 
Attention to the Displaced Population and the Humanitarian 
Action Plan, discussion of which remains to be concluded. 
 
They highlighted the importance of the process of 
discussion for the development of the International 
Cooperation Strategy in which national public bodies, the 
international community and civil society all played an 
active part. At the same time, they welcomed the 
government's willingness to open up spaces for democratic 
participation and urged it to continue working in this 
way. 
 
They committed themselves to continue supporting, in a 
determined and concrete way, the International Cooperation 
Strategy, in line with the priorities established in the 
six thematic blocks: forests; re-incorporation into 
civilian life; productive and alternative development; 
strengthening the rule of law and human rights; regional 
peace and development programmes, forced displacement and 
humanitarian assistance.  In this context they recognized 
the commitment of the governments to the Millennium Goals. 
 
They highlighted the support given by the international 
community and the importance of dialogue and cooperation 
between the government of Colombia and civil society in 
all its diversity, including the private sector.  They 
reaffirmed their commitment with the government to 
continue working in a co-coordinated way, with the 
participation of civil society and the relevant 
international bodies, within the framework of the London 
process. 
 
END TRANSLATED TEXT.  WOOD