US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA8650

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 008650 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, PTER, PINR, PREL, CO 
SUBJECT: STAFFDEL GROVE MEETINGS IN BOGOTA 
 
 
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Summary 
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1. (U)  Congressional aides Paul Grove and Thomas Hawkins met 
with Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo on August 30 and 
representatives of several human rights organizations on 
August 31 to discuss the paramilitary demobilization process 
and the Law of Justice and Peace.  Restrepo explained the 
status of demobilizations, requested resources for GOC's 
security enhancement, and answered questions regarding the 
reinsertion of former combatants.  The majority of the human 
rights groups expressed their concern with both the 
demobilization process and the law, stating paramilitary 
structures were not being dismantled, the judicial system did 
not have enough time to investigate cases, and paramilitaries 
remained in control of several cities in the country.  End 
summary. 
 
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Restrepo Meeting 
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2. (U) On August 30, Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo 
met with Paul Grove and Thomas Hawkins to explain the status 
of demobilizations, request resources for the GOC's security 
enhancement, and answer questions regarding the reinsertion 
of former combatants.  Restrepo explained that despite 
previous peace efforts during the past 20 years, no other 
government has attacked the paramilitaries like this one.  In 
2000, no casualties were reported, but since the Uribe 
administration, 1,450 paramilitaries have been killed and 
5,000 are in jail.  Under this pressure to talk, the United 
Self-Defense Groups of Colombia (AUC) agreed in 2003 to begin 
to demobilize.  To date, more than half of the former 
combatants have demobilized (over 10,000 paramilitaries). 
The GOC has also created a legal framework to go after the 
most atrocious offenders and for reparations of victims that 
no other peace process in the world has ever had, he said. 
 
3. (U) Restrepo stressed that one of the GOC's biggest 
concerns is being able to fill the security void left behind 
by the demobilized paramilitaries to prevent the guerrillas 
from seizing control of these areas and the drug trade.  He 
recognized that the GOC currently lacks the resources to 
guarantee the necessary protection to its citizens.  The GOC 
estimates that it needs an additional 10,000 to 15,000 police 
officers for these efforts.  He stated that this force would 
require a minimum of six months training and it would cost 
approximately USD 150 million a year.  The GOC is calling for 
assistance from the international community.  He reiterated 
how U.S. support has been decisive in helping the GOC fight 
the guerrillas and demobilize the paramilitaries, and he 
hoped for additional support. 
 
4. (U) Staffers expressed concern with the government's 
limited efforts to offer employment opportunities for the 
demobilized.  Restrepo stated that the GOC is giving each 
former combatant the opportunity to receive free education 
and training.  The GOC is also sponsoring alternative 
programs to assist demobilized paramilitaries to begin their 
own business. 
 
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NGO Meeting 
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5. (U) Grove and Hawkins met with representatives of five 
well-respected human rights organizations on August 31. 
Participants included Mario Gomez, Director of the Restrepo 
Barco Foundation; Soraya Gutierrez, President of the Lawyer's 
Collective ("Colectivo de Abogados"); Gloria Florez, Director 
of MINGA; Gustavo Gallon, Director of the Colombian 
Commission of Jurists; and Agustin Jimenez, Director of the 
Committee for Solidarity with Political Prisoners.  The 
discussion focused on the paramilitary demobilization process 
and the Justice and Peace law. 
 
6. (U) The majority of the participants agreed that the 
Justice and Peace law is weak.  Jimenez noted that the law 
does not allow for the dismantling of paramilitary 
structures.  He added that there is no mechanism to determine 
who is supporting the paramilitaries, either politically or 
financially.  Gutierrez and Florez both remarked that some 
cities and regions continue to be controlled by the 
paramilitaries, such as in Catatumbo and Cucuta (Norte de 
Santander department), where paramilitaries and their 
supporters are involved in local politics and have 
infilitrated key institutions.  The Ambassador noted that the 
situations in Catatumbo and Cucuta were of concern, but added 
that a benefit of the demobilization process is finding out 
who the paramilitaries are, as they sign a statement 
acknowledging their participation in the illegal group. 
 
7. (U) Gallon said three former presidents -- Alfonso Lopez 
Michelson, Cesar Gaviria, and Andres Pastrana -- have all 
voiced concerns with the process, and the Colombian 
Commission of Jurists (CCJ) agrees with their assessment.  A 
well-done demobilization could have positive effects, but, 
according to Gallon, this process would not.  He added that 
violations of the cease-fire continue to exist, and the 
government has not reacted to them.  Gallon also voiced his 
concerns regarding the 60-day timeframe prosecutors have to 
investigate cases, stating it was not enough time to 
investigate the multitude of cases each prosecutor would 
have.  Regarding victims' issues, Gutierrez noted the high 
number of paramilitary victims in Colombia, but low number of 
prosecutions and convictions.  She added that the law does 
not provide for truth, justice or reparations, that 
confession is not required, and victims' rights are only 
considered at the very end of the process.  Jimenez said that 
one could not sacrifice justice for peace, as it will weaken 
Colombian society. 
 
8. (U) Mario Gomez disagreed with his colleagues and said the 
law is a good step in working towards peace in Colombia. 
Although it is not perfect, the law is necessary and his 
foundation will continue to support the process.  He 
underscored that the law would be used in any future peace 
processes with the guerrilla groups as well. 
DRUCKER