US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA9095

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 009095 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, MARR, MOPS, PHUM, SNAR, CO, FARC, Hostages 
SUBJECT: COLOMBIANS PROTEST FRENCH REGARDING FARC 
NEGOTIATIONS 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood; reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d) 
 
1. (U) The Colombian Foreign Ministry sent the French 
Ambassador to Colombia a diplomatic note on September 23 
protesting France's latest contact with the Revolutionary 
Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in early September, without 
GOC authorization.  The French reportedly sent the envoy to 
negotiate the release of dual Colombian-French national 
Ingrid Betancourt.  An earlier contact with a FARC 
representative last July was made with GOC knowledge. 
Colombia's note objected to the most recent encounter which 
"meddles in the internal affairs of our nation."  The note 
goes on to request that France respect the principles 
governing the Franco-Colombian bilateral relationship.  It 
specifically urges the French government to consult the 
Colombian government before contacting the FARC directly. 
All major Colombian television news broadcasts gave the 
protest note prominent coverage. 
 
2. (U) The previous French Ambassador to Colombia is now 
married to Ingrid's sister Astrid Betancourt and has been a 
visible French representative on the subject, in Bogota and 
now in Paris.  Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin is also 
known to be close to the Betancourt family.  Since the 
Ambassador departed Bogota, President Chirac has sent at 
least two envoys to meet with FARC representatives. 
 
3. (U) Begin informal translation of dipnote: 
 
Mr. Ambassador: 
 
I use this opportunity to address your Excellency to 
communicate that the Government of Colombia has recently 
received information about the contacts that the Government 
of France is advancing with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of 
Colombia (FARC), with the goal of freeing Ms. Ingrid 
Betancourt. 
 
Colombia wishes to protest the fact that these negotiations 
went forward without being announced to the national 
government, thereby meddling in the internal affairs of our 
nation. 
 
Colombia hopes that France will respect the principles that 
have guided relations between the two nations and will 
consult the Colombian government before proceeding with any 
overture of this nature.  Colombia repeats before the French 
Government and before public opinion that it has not 
authorized any contact between FARC representatives and that 
government. 
 
I take this opportunity to reiterate to your Excellency 
assurances of my highest and distinguished consideration. 
 
/s/ 
 
Camilo Reyes Rodriguez, 
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, 
Charge d'Affaires, 
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs 
 
4. (C) Comment:  The European Union decision to designate the 
FARC as a terrorist organization was an important step.  In 
view of IRA training of the FARC, a Danish NGO's assertions 
of a "right" to provide financial support to the FARC, and 
unilateral French overtures to the FARC, it is important to 
reinforce European solidarity against the FARC. 
WOOD