US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA6889

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 006889 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR, KPAO, OPRC, PREL, SNAR, PGOV, CO 
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA: JULY 2005 GALLUP POLL RESULTS 
 
Security Policies 
----------------- 
 
1. (U) The survey found that 71% of respondents feel 
safer today than they did a year ago, up seven percent 
(64%) from April 2005. Those disagreeing with the 
statement decreased from 31% in April to 26% in July. 
As such, a little over a third of Colombians (36%) 
feel that public order/security is the country's top 
problem.  As security conditions improve, the public's 
willingness to forego some liberties to improve 
security decreased, from 63% in December 2004 to 55% 
in July.  The large majority (73%) believes that the 
Government is respectful of human rights; 19% 
 
Peace Process 
------------- 
 
2.  (U) Public support for the Government's 
negotiations with paramilitary groups remains strong - 
73% in favor, and 23% against.   Support for 
reinsertion programs for former members of guerrilla/ 
paramilitary groups has declined from 65% in April to 
56% in July.  Public support for humanitarian 
exchanges between guerrillas and hostages also 
continues to decline, from 47% in favor in December 
2004, to 36% in July 2005. 
 
Economic Management 
-------------------- 
 
3. (U) With security conditions improving in the cities 
where the poll was taken, respondents identified the economy 
as the main problem facing Colombia (46%).  Sixty-percent 
disapproved of the president's handling of cost of 
living issues (36% approved), and 59% disapproved of 
his unemployment policies (36% approved).  On an FTA 
with the United States, support decreased from 60% in 
June 2004 to 52% in July 2005. 
 
Extradition 
----------- 
 
4.  (U) Support for extradition, at 44% in July, is 
down three points from March. 
 
Aerial Spraying 
--------------- 
 
5.  (U) For the first time, opposition to aerial 
spraying surpassed approval, 50% to 47%.  Support for 
aerial spraying has lost 6% points since December 
2004. 
 
Elections/Candidates 
-------------------- 
 
6.  (U) Support for President Uribe's reelection 
remained strong at 66%.  Favorable ratings for other 
potential presidential candidates were as follows: 
 
- Colombia's ambassador to Spain, Noemi Sanin: 54% 
- Bogota Mayor Luis E. Garzon: 54% 
- Former Bogota Mayor Antanas Mockus 51% 
- Former Bogota Mayor Enrique Penalosa: 46% 
- Polo Democratico candidate Senator Antonio 
Navarro Wolf: 37% 
- Vice-President Santos: 38% 
- Former President Cesar Gaviria: 35% 
- Minister of Interior Sabas Pretelt: 32%. 
- Liberal Party hopeful Horacio Serpa: 30% 
 
Seventy percent of respondents considered themselves 
political independents, 19% Liberals, and 6% 
Conservatives. 
 
Institutions 
------------ 
 
7.  (U) Among institutions, the Armed Forces enjoyed 
the highest favorable image, at 80%.  Plan Colombia 
and the Police, at 70% and 69% respectively, were in 
the top five.  The United Nations has a 67% favorable 
rating, and Human Rights NGOs come in next at 66%. 
With regards to Venezuela, 37% have a favorable 
opinion, while 50% have a negative opinion.  When 
asked if the relationship with Venezuela could be 
described as respectful and prosperous, those agreeing 
with that statement have been decreasing steadily from 
65% in March, 61% in April, to a low of 47% in July. 
Hugo Chavez received 16% favorable ratings and 49% 
unfavorable. 
 
 
8.  (U) The opinion poll was conducted by telephone in 
the four largest metropolitan areas July 5-6. It overweighted 
poorer respondents and represents a good profile of the more 
politically relevant or influential populat