US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA5142

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 005142 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2015 
TAGS: PTER, PHUM, PREL, CO, AUC 
SUBJECT: FATHER ECHEVERRI DISCUSSES PEACE PROCESSES 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
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Summary 
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1. (C) On May 26, poloffs met with Father Dario Echeverri 
(strictly protect), Secretary General of the National 
Conciliation Commission (CCN), which is authorized by the GOC 
to reach out to the illegal armed groups with the aim of 
starting peace talks.  The CCN had met with the AUC 
negotiating team on May 17 and issued a communique expressing 
hope for the process's success and warning that a complete 
cease-fire and full dismantlement of the AUC were essential. 
Echeverri reported little progress with the FARC or ELN.  On 
May 13, Echeverri sent a letter to FARC Secretariat member 
Raul Reyes proposing the church arrange a meeting between the 
FARC and the GOC so they could discuss the conditions needed 
for a humanitarian exchange.  There has been no response. 
End summary. 
 
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AUC process 
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2. (U) On May 17, Father Echeverri led a CCN delegation in a 
meeting with the AUC negotiators in Santa Fe de Ralito, 
Cordoba Department.  Following the meeting, the CCN issued a 
communique that: 
 
-- Expressed hope for a successful peace process. 
 
-- Warned that the process's legitimacy depended directly on 
the AUC's compliance with the cease-fire, respect for human 
rights, and adherence to the agreed-upon demobilization 
schedule.  They noted that there was evidence the AUC had 
violated these three requirements. 
 
-- Praised the OAS verification mission. 
 
-- Emphasized that the full dismantlement of the AUC was 
essential to the process. 
 
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FARC and ELN: Little Progress 
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3. (C) Echeverri described his efforts to reach out to the 
FARC and ELN as being on a stationary bike -- he would 
continue pedaling, but was not moving forward.  He showed 
poloffs a series of letters between him and FARC Secretariat 
member Raul Reyes.  In the first, dated April 1, Echeverri 
urged Reyes to accept a meeting with the CCN to discuss a 
humanitarian exchange.  In response, dated April 8, Reyes 
reiterated that the FARC would not agree to any kind of 
humanitarian exchange until the GOC gave the FARC a 
demilitarized zone in two municipalities in Cauca Department, 
brought extradited FARC commanders "Sonia" and "Simon 
Trinidad" back to Colombia, and released them and FARC 
international representative Rodrigo Granda.  He also said 
security conditions would not allow for a meeting with the 
CCN.  On May 13, Echeverri wrote to Reyes, that the CCN 
believed a meeting between the GOC and FARC to discuss the 
terms of humanitarian exchange was possible, and wanted to 
know the Secretariat's willingness to hold such a meeting. 
He also urged the FARC to release European Commission 
diplomat Carlos Ayala (see septel for more information on the 
FARC's role in the kidnapping).  The FARC has not responded. 
 
4. (C) Echeverri noted that he had held a meeting with the 
Ambassadors from the nine "group of friends" countries for a 
peace process with the FARC on May 25 to discuss their views 
of the possibility of peace talks with the FARC.  He asserted 
that the international community could play a more productive 
role in the peace process with the illegal armed groups, but 
the GOC was hesitant to permit it. 
WOOD