US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA4973

UNCLAS BOGOTA 004973 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, PTER, CO, Human Rts, Massacre 
SUBJECT: PEACE COMMUNITY CONTINUES PUBLIC RELATIONS OUTREACH 
 
REF: A) BOGOTA 1918 B) BOGOTA 3361 
 
1. (U) Summary.  NGO Redepaz organized a trip on May 5 for 
the international community to Apartado for meetings with the 
peace community, other NGOs and peace communities from other 
parts of the country.  This was the second such visit to 
highlight peace community concerns over the February 21 
massacre (reftels).  The first trip, on April 6, was 
organized by group of international NGOs that included Peace 
Brigades International, the Fellowship of Reconciliation and 
the Project Counseling Service.  This latest visit was 
sparsely attended and did not include meetings with local 
police officials and the 17th Brigade as the earlier one had. 
 Peace Community leaders again requested international 
oversight of the GOC investigation into the massacre but 
continue to refuse to cooperate with it. End Summary. 
 
2. (U) On May 5, the NGO Redepaz (Peace Network) coordinated 
a "humanitarian visit" to the Peace Community in San Jose de 
Apartado, several members of which were murdered on February 
21 (ref A).  Representatives from the United States (poloff), 
Norway, Argentina, the European Commission, and UNDP 
accompanied representatives from several NGOs and civil 
society organizations.  The delegation of over 40 people 
visited "La Holandita" (ref B), to which 94 families from the 
Peace Community had relocated on April 2, and visited the 
town of San Jose de Apartado, where the Community members 
formerly lived. 
 
3. (U) The Community welcomed representatives from several 
peace communities throughout Colombia who had traveled long 
distances -- some from as far as the department of Caqueta, 
three days' ride by bus -- to participate in an "action for 
solidarity for victims of the war and for the right to life". 
 Visitors were seated under a large, open air cabana covered 
with palm leaves that had been relocated from San Jose de 
Apartado.  After a brief introduction, four members of the 
Peace Community's Internal Council addressed the crowd, 
answering questions about the massacre, and expressing 
frustration at the slow pace of the investigation which, they 
believed, was not producing results.  None of the other 
residents of the Peace Community spoke.  Afterwards, several 
other communities' representatives expressed solidarity and 
their wishes for peace.  Oscar Lopez, a folk singer known for 
his activist lyrics, then led the group in several songs. 
Following this, several NGO and civil society representatives 
spoke to express their solidarity with the Peace Community 
and chant prayers for peace.  The gathering concluded with an 
indigenous "activation" ceremony, during which water was 
poured on the heads of visitors who passed under a procession 
of raised ceremonial sticks wrapped in leather. 
 
4. (U) The mood was rather melancholy, as leaders from 
communities and organizations celebrated the Peace 
Community's survival but asked the international community to 
continue "to oversee" the GOC investigation into the February 
massacre.  Peace Community leaders expressed frustration that 
no one had been detained or tried on this case or any other 
similar incidents the Community had suffered.  Some expressed 
openly anti-GOC statements, like "we are hoping for the 
Government to end its oppression."  When asked when the Peace 
Community residents would be ready to return to the town of 
San Jose de Apartado, one of the leaders responded that they 
would return when the "fuerza publica" (police and military 
forces) had left the area and they felt safe returning to 
their farms. 
 
5. (U) The housing structures built at "La Holandita" for the 
residents have improved significantly since Embassy 
representatives first visited the site on April 6 (ref b). 
There are now several long houses with individual units, with 
rough wood exterior walls and tin roofs.  There were no 
restroom facilities and the community still relies on a 
nearby stream for water, and propane gas for heating and 
cooking.  Livestock and dogs continue to wander aimlessly 
throughout the community. 
 
6. (U) Comment: Although the Fiscalia (Prosecutor General's 
office) is proceeding with its investigation into the 
February 21 massacre, the peace community of San Jose de 
Apartado continues to refuse to cooperate in any way. 
WOOD