US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA6683

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 006683 
 
SIPDIS 
 
H FOR W. MIELE 
USAID FOR LAC 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, PGOV, EAID, CO, OAS, Demobilization 
SUBJECT: OAS REP ASKS ABOUT DEMOBILIZATION FUTURE 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood; reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d) 
 
Summary 
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1. (C) On July 8, the Ambassador met with Organization of 
American States (OAS) Peace Process Verification Coordinators 
Sergio Caramagna and Claudia Vargas at the latters' request. 
Caramagna told the Ambassador that he appreciated U.S. 
Congressional support for the GOC's paramilitary peace 
process thus far, and hoped support would continue with the 
implementation of the new Justice and Peace law.  He said the 
OAS Secretary General would visit Colombia in August. 
Caramagna shared his concerns about the upcoming complex 
demobilization of the largest United Self-Defense Forces 
(AUC) bloc ) the Central Bolivar Bloc (BCB).  The Ambassador 
promised ongoing political support for the OAS' verification 
work and stressed the importance of a meaningful 
implementation of the Justice and Peace law.  End Summary. 
 
Grateful for U.S. Support 
------------------------- 
 
2. (C) OAS Peace Process Verification Coordinator Sergio 
Caramagna visited the Ambassador on July 8 to provide an 
update on OAS verification of the demobilization process.  He 
welcomed Representative Frank Wolf's support for the 
Colombian peace process and the OAS mission (septel), noting 
that Wolf had offered candid advice on steps needed to win 
broader support in the U.S. Congress.  Caramagna raised 
concerns about the Senate appropriations mark up, which 
outlined new certification provisions necessary for U.S. 
demobilization assistance. 
 
OAS Under New Management 
------------------------ 
 
3. (C) Caramagna said the OAS, under the new leadership of 
Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza, had noticeably 
 
SIPDIS 
improved.  Insulza recently met with Caramagna both in 
private and in a larger meeting to discuss demobilization 
issues.  He told Caramagna that he planned to travel to 
Colombia in August to see the verification mission.  Insulza 
wanted the mission to be one of "his" programs, thus 
elevating it and potentially improving inter-organizational 
communication.  He expressed concern about U.S. criticism of 
the Law for Justice and Peace and suggested that the 
opponents could harm the process before the law even came 
into effect. 
 
Large Demobilization Taxes OAS Resources 
---------------------------------------- 
 
4. (SBU) Caramagna expressed concerns about the upcoming 
demobilization of the Central Bolivar Bloc (BCB).  He said 
the Bloc would be demobilizing in seven different locations, 
all of which would require OAS verification teams.  He 
planned to redirect all verification personnel to those seven 
areas, but could not confirm that he would be able to cover 
the sites.  The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the 
OAS' efforts, but advised Caramagna that the United States 
could not financially support the verification teams at this 
time, because of shortage of funds at year-end.  He said the 
U.S. would continue to politically and publicly support the 
OAS, however. 
 
Justice and Peace Law 
--------------------- 
 
5. (SBU) Caramagna raised the Justice and Peace law as a 
polemic issue being discussed by the international community. 
 Many NGOs and others in the international community were 
focused on the myth of a perfect law.  Caramagna stressed 
that the OAS shared the opinion that implementation was the 
key to the law's success.  Secretary General Insulza told 
Caramagna in a private meeting hoped implementation made the 
process work.  Although the NGOs were seeking an OAS 
condemnation of the project, the Inter-American Court was 
waiting to get a comprehensive analysis of the law before 
voicing an opinion. 
WOOD