US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA9785

UNCLAS BOGOTA 009785 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT PLS PASS USTR RVARGO AND BHARMAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD, ECON, PGOV, CO, FTA 
SUBJECT: LABOR AND INDIGENOUS PROTESTS AGAINST FTA FIZZLE 
 
REF: BOGOTA 9232 
 
1. Summary.  Public concerns over FTA negotiations were 
highlighted as indigenous groups and the major labor unions 
held anti-FTA protests around the country this week.  While 
most of the demonstrations were peaceful and smaller than 
predicted, some protesters were injured and one protester 
died from a heart attack when riot police broke up an illegal 
road block.  End Summary. 
 
Volatile Indigenous Protests Occur Countrywide 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
2.  Indigenous protesters from Antioquia, Caldas, Cauca, 
Quindio, and other regions demonstrated against the Andean 
FTA around the country from October 10-13.  In Risaralda 
Department, about 25,000 protestors tried to block a local 
highway on October 11 but the police dispersed the crowd with 
tear gas.  According to Interior Minister Sabas Pretelt, a 
60-year-old man died from a heart attack that occurred during 
the turmoil.  In another incident in Santa Rosa de Cabal, 
Embera Indians armed with machetes and stones confronted 
police.  About 20 protesters were injured during that 
confrontation. 
 
National Day of Labor Protests Is Peaceful 
------------------------------------------ 
 
3.  Colombia,s leading labor unions (CTC, CUT, and CGT) 
predicted they would mobilize an estimated 500,000 workers 
for protest marches against the FTA and against the possible 
reelection of President Uribe in Bogota and the other 
departmental capitals on October 12.  Turnout was much lower 
than predicted in Bogota; the Colombian national police 
estimated that approximately 4,000 protestors marched, 
although all registered groups participated.  About 8,000 
protestors demonstrated in Medellin, according to local media 
reports.  Central Workers Union President Carlos Rodriguez 
stated that CUT membership came out in force since the union 
is overwhelmingly against the FTA due to fears that foreign 
companies will take advantage of better trade subsidies to 
gain advantage in the Colombian market. 
 
4.  Comment:  As reported reftel, President Uribe has given 
strong public support to finishing FTA negotiations in the 
short term and has ordered his negotiating team to ensure a 
deal is concluded before the upcoming Colombian election 
season.  This week,s protests were nationwide but protestors 
came out in smaller numbers than demonstration organizers 
forecasted and their anti-FTA grievances were vague at best. 
In the end, the protests were a hiccup.  End Comment. 
WOOD