US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA8291

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 008291 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PTER, SNAR, CO 
SUBJECT: POLICE ASSUME CONTROL OF RALITO; PARAMILITARY 
BLOC'S SECURITY RING DEMOBILIZES 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1. (C) Emboffs attended demobilization in Santa Fe de Ralito 
on August 25-26 and witnessed Colombian police taking over 
from some 300 demobilized paramilitaries, who has been the 
"security force" there.  The police presence remains thin but 
should expand in the coming weeks.  There were two principal 
changes in the latest demobilization: prosecutors did not 
conduct open statements or "version libre" on the spot for 
the 782 pardon (a good thing.); and military identification 
cards were not issued.  GOC representatives said the recent 
changes responded to NGO's and international community 
concerns and in part were made to save money.  End Summary. 
 
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DEMOBILIZATION RESULTS 
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2. (U) Emboffs traveled to Santa Fe de Ralito on August 25 to 
witness the demobilization of three hundred combatants who 
served as AUC security forces for the special negotiation 
zone (zona de negociacion): 208 members of the AUC's Pacific 
Bloc, 62 members of the Vanquishers of Arauca Bloc, 18 
members of the Centauros Bloc, and 12 of the Liberators of 
the South Bloc.  As of August 27, the total number of 
paramilitaries demobilized collectively has reached 9,246. 
The Pacific and Vanquishers of Arauca blocs' commanders also 
demobilized: Francisco Javier Zuluaga Lindo, ("Gordo Lindo") 
and Miguel Angel Melchor Mejia Munera, alias ("El Mellizo" or 
"Pablo Arauca"). 
 
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POLICE FORCES TAKE OVER AREA 
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3. (C) After one year of paramilitary control over the zone, 
police took over all law enforcement functions after August 
27.  Although Emboffs observed a limited police presence 
during the demobilization (approximately 15-20), GOC 
officials said they planed to add 40 more police in the 
coming weeks.  One representative from the High Commissioner 
for Peace's office noted that the closing of the zone -- 
slated for December 31 -- would be gradual.  Former 
combatants will remain in the zone until Justice and Peace 
law mechanisms are established. 
 
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POSTPONING 'VERSION LIBRE' AND OTHER PROCESSES 
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4. (C) GOC officials outlined several changes they had made 
to the demobilization process in response to criticism from 
civil society, NGOs, and the international community. GOC 
reforms also attempt to reduce costs.  In particular, the GOC 
decided to postpone "version libre" of the former combatants 
who qualify for 782 treatment and instead have the Prosecutor 
General's Office (Fiscalia) conduct them in the Reference and 
Orientation Center (CRO).  In meetings with CRO staff, they 
agreed that such a move would be welcomed by the demobilized 
since it could lead to more confidential confessions and they 
are likely to feel more secure at the CRO (the Embassy had 
urged this change.)  Military identification cards, which 
exempt adult males from military service, were not issued on 
site -- although demobilization IDs were issued as usual. 
 
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VISITS TO MONTERIA 
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5.  (U) The CRO in Monteria is responsible for informing, 
registering, tracking and monitoring demobilized combatants 
in the Departments of Cordoba and Sucre.  It serves 
approximately 1,800 former combatants, making it the largest 
such center.  The center is able to carry out its mandate 
successfully since the area has traditionally been a 
paramilitary stronghold. Other CROs, located in areas with 
more guerrilla presence, including Medellin, Cali, Cucuta, 
Turbo, and Sincelejo have faced some reluctance from 
demobilized fighters.  CRO staff claimed it initially had 
been difficult to gain the confidence of demobilized 
paramilitaries, but former combatants appeared to be growing 
increasingly comfortable with the CRO and visited the center 
frequently.  The CRO staff said that the demobilized would be 
less likely to go to a judicial center instead of a CRO to 
meet with a prosecutor to submit their "version libre." 
 
6. (U) On August 26, Emboffs attended a workshop on 
post-demobilization reintegration led by the Galan 
Corporation.  Galan spearheads efforts to promote civic 
involvement from community leaders and demobilized 
paramilitaries to facilitate reintegration.  Over 100 
participants returned to a second module to discuss ways to 
improve the reinsertion process and create programs that may 
assist in regaining the acceptance of their local 
communities. 
WOOD