US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA9790

UNCLAS BOGOTA 009790 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, PGOV, PREL, CO, Demobilization, OAS 
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN PEACE PROCESS: URGENT REQUEST FOR 
ADDITIONAL FOREIGN SUPPORT 
 
1. (U)  This is an action request (see para 6). 
 
2. (U)  The Government of Colombia (GoC) is currently leading 
an unprecedented peace process with the United Self-Defense 
Forces of Colombia (AUC).  More than 18,000 former combatants 
have laid down their arms since the beginning of the Uribe 
administration and an additional 10,000 are expected to 
demobilize by the end of this year.  The Organization of 
American States (OAS) is playing a vital role in monitoring 
ceasefire agreements and verifying the demobilization and 
re-incorporation processes.  This critical role has provided 
international credibility to the process. 
 
3. (U)  However, the OAS operation's costs have been higher 
than anticipated - averaging about USD 225,000 monthly - and 
funding ran out last month.  Additional funding is not 
expected until January 2006.  To maintain the disarmament 
verification process during this critical period, USAID 
Colombia has provided interim support of about USD 540,000 to 
last through December 31.  This is in addition to the 
US-contributed portion of the funds directly supplied by the 
OAS. 
 
4. (U)  To date, several donor countries have pledged and/or 
distributed the following contributions in support of the OAS 
Colombian Mission: 
 
Bahamas:       USD 15,000 for telephone service. 
 
Ireland:       USD 150,000 for vehicles and associated 
maintenance. 
 
Netherlands:   USD 1,000,000 for community projects, conflict 
mitigation, and OAS cease fire verification. 
 
South Korea:   A commitment to donate additional vehicles. 
 
Sweden:        USD 175,000 for personnel and OAS cease fire 
verification. 
 
US:            USD 585,000 for OAS monitoring and 
verification of the demobilization and reincorporation 
process, plus USD 540,000 interim support discussed in para 3 
above. 
            ===================== 
Total:            USD 2,465,000. 
 
5. (U) Colombia itself has allocated USD 1,275,000 for 
community projects and OAS cease fire verification.  OAS 
efforts to date to find other international donors have not 
been successful. 
 
6. (U) Action requested: Embassy Bogota requests the 
Department develop a strategy to encourage other potential 
donor states to contribute to the OAS verification mission 
immediately. 
WOOD