US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA3827

UNCLAS BOGOTA 003827 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, PHUM, KJUS, ECON, ETRD, CO 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S COMMENTS TO THE AMERICAN BUSINESS 
COUNCIL 
 
 
1. (U) On April 14, the Ambassador gave the following 
informal comment to the American Business Council of 
Colombia. 
 
2. (SBU) Text: 
 
I asked Jaime for an opportunity to speak to you today 
because I believe something important is happening right now 
that affects all of Colombia, including the US companies 
based here. 
 
The Colombian Congress is moving forward on the Peace and 
Justice Law.  Although the debate is still in progress, 
Colombia is close to a decision on how it will deal with 
illegal armed groups.  To date, more than 6,000 people have 
demobilized as individuals, and more than 5,000 people have 
demobilized in blocks.  This means that 12,000 fewer people 
are out there threatening your factories, transportation 
routes, and employees. That's 12,000 fewer people causing 
your interest rates to rise.  That's 12,000 fewer people 
diverting national resources to defense, law enforcement, and 
aid to victims.  And there will be more. 
 
I don't know what the final draft of the law will include. 
The law has benefited from a full and open debate, both at 
the national and international levels.  I have confidence 
that although what will emerge may not satisfy everyone, it 
will provide a basis for demobilization, disarmament, 
monitoring, reintegration, and reparations. 
 
The key is in the implementation.  If the beneficiaries, 
after paying their debt to society in terms of the law, are 
not accepted back into society or feel rejected, they will 
give up. And, a very high percentage of those who give up 
will return to their former activities.  Activities that have 
resulted in great harm to Colombia, including enormous 
disruption of your commercial activities. 
 
As a political analyst who has your best interests in mind, 
as well as those of the U.S. and Colombia, I urge you to 
consider ways in which you can employ these deserters and 
demobilized.  The former have run a great risk leaving the 
life they were leading.  The latter are reintegrating into 
society with the support of their former organizations, 
making it a simpler process for them. 
 
Some of the corporations in this room have experience in 
hiring former members of illegal armed groups.  I believe 
that they would tell you that the experience has been more 
positive than they anticipated.  The Embassy is contributing 
to the effort in its own way, supporting OAS monitoring 
efforts. 
 
And, of course, we are ready to help all of you in any way we 
can.  This is hard.  I'm not asking for quotas -- like having 
one in 50 of your employees be an ex-combatant.  But, the 
private sector is known for its ability to make practical and 
often difficult decisions in ways the public sector cannot. 
 
Now is the time to put your heads together and find a way to 
make it happen.  I would be especially proud if American 
companies could lead this national effort.  Take the 
challenge.  I think you'll find it's worth it. 
 
Thank you. 
WOOD