US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA6141

UNCLAS BOGOTA 006141 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR INL, ALSO FOR WHA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ABUD, PREL, EAID, SNAR, CO 
SUBJECT: Proposed FY 2007 Demobilization Assistance 
 
Ref:  A) Bogota 4342  B) INL-Embassy Bogota Emails 
 
1. (U) Post has requested that a total of $476.753 million 
in FY2007 Andean Counterdrug Initiative funds be allocated 
for all Counter Narcotics and Anticrime Assistance programs 
(Ref A.)  In view of the prospect that the GOC will 
negotiate the demobilization of large numbers of internal 
combatants, post proposes to proceed with a request for 
USAID to expend $14.5 million in FY2007 funds for programs 
under the general heading of "Reincorporation to Civilian 
Life."  With this approved additional funding, USAID's 
Reincorporation to Civilian Life program will be able to 
expand assistance to the GOC efforts to demobilize, disarm 
and reincorporate back into civilian life thousands of 
illegal armed group (IAG) members.  Colombia is now at a 
crucial crossroads in its efforts to greatly diminish the 
negative affects of narco-terrorism.  Through USG assistance 
and the Reincorporation to Civilian Life program, the GOC 
has the opportunity to help establish itself as a peaceful 
nation whose citizens may benefit from lasting sustainable 
social and economic development.  This request is detailed 
more fully in Ref A. 
 
2. (U) As discussed in Ref B, the total ACI funds requested 
for activities included under the broader heading of 
"Promoting Social and Economic Progress" is $139.3 million: 
Support for Democracy -                 $19 million; 
Alternative Development -               $83.3 million; 
Support to Vulnerable Groups and IDPs - $22.5 million; 
Reincorporation to Civilian Life -      $14.5 million. 
 
WOOD