US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA10390

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 010390 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2015 
TAGS: KJUS, PTER, PREL, PGOV, CO 
SUBJECT: AUC LEADERS SEEK DEAL ON EXTRADITION 
 
REF: BOGOTA 9089 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood, Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1.  (C) Peace Commissioner Restrepo, para-friendly Senator 
Moreno de Caro, OAS Verification Chief Caramagna and National 
Commission on Reparations and Reconciliation member Jaime 
Jaramillo have all passed messages to the Ambassador 
suggesting that paramilitary leaders want to cut deals on 
extradition.  The messages suggest reduced sentences in 
return for alleged full disclosure of their narcotrafficking, 
and in some cases they propose serving reduced sentences in 
Europe if the U.S. will not agree.  In all cases, the 
Ambassador made clear that no deal was possible with 
fugitives.  End Summary. 
 
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RESTREPO: AUC LEADERS' INTEREST IN EXTRADITION DEAL 
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2. (C) Peace Commissioner Restrepo on September 22 (reftel) 
told the Ambassador that AUC leaders, in particular Salvatore 
Mancuso, want to speak to the USG regarding options on 
extradition and serving some limited jail time in the United 
States in exchange for information on the AUC's structure and 
operations, drug routes, and corrupt GOC officials.  Restrepo 
emphasized that his message should not be interpreted as 
reflecting a weakening in the GOC's commitment to 
extradition.  However, it came at a time when the 
paramilitaries had suspended demobilizations, with 8,000 more 
to go. 
 
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SENATOR MORENO DE CARO FOLLOWS SUIT 
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3. (C) Senator Carlos Moreno de Caro, a regular paramilitary 
interlocutor, met the Ambassador on October 10 to deliver a 
similar message.  Like Restrepo, he stressed the difficult 
situation of Mancuso.  Moreno stated that AUC leaders are 
very concerned with extradition, a concern that only 
heightened following "Don Berna's" transfer to Combita high 
security prison, which many paramilitary leaders are 
convinced is the waiting room for extradition to the U.S. 
Moreno de Caro met with the Spanish Embassy, in an 
unsuccessful attempt to try to broker a transfer of Mancuso, 
and perhaps others, for reduced jail time there. 
 
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CARAMAGNA UNCOMFORTABLE IN DELIVERING SIMILAR MESSAGE 
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4. (C) OAS Verification Mission Director Sergio Caramagna met 
with the Ambassador October 11 to deliver the same message, 
but admitted he was not comfortable doing so.  He said he had 
heard in various settings from Mancuso and other AUC leaders' 
of their interest in negotiating a deal with the USG. 
Caramagna was taken aback, in particular, with Mancuso's 
change of demeanor over the last year, and especially in 
recent weeks.  He described Mancuso as "powerless and 
disoriented, a destroyed man."  He noted that Mancuso and 
some of the other leaders were now prepared to spend time in 
jail under the terms of the Justice and Peace law, which was 
not the case when they began negotiating with the GOC a year 
ago.  They are "panicked" by the prospect of extradition to 
the U.S.  In Mancuso's view, said Caramagna, extradition 
could become the obstacle to the successful conclusion of the 
demobilization process.  He said he was informing the U.S. on 
this matter because of his concern about demobilizations 
getting back on track as soon as possible. 
 
5. (C) Caramagna also confirmed that Restrepo has affirmed in 
clear terms to AUC leaders that they could fully comply with 
the J&P law and still be extradited for their crimes before 
becoming paramilitaries. 
 
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CNRR MEMBER DELIVERS MESSAGE FROM MANCUSO 
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6. (C) National Commission for Reparations and Reconciliation 
member Jaime Jaramillo delivered a similar message from 
Mancuso to deputy political counselor on November 2. 
According to Jaramillo, Mancuso is willing to serve his 
sentence under the Justice and Peace law in the U.S.  He does 
not want to be treated "like the Shining Path, in a cage or a 
cave."  Mancuso told Jaramillo that he would be safer in the 
U.S. and believes that other AUC beneficiaries of the Justice 
and Peace law would be interested in U.S. jail time as well. 
Jaramillo said Mancuso is aware that he could face additional 
U.S. charges but he was looking for a plea bargain. 
D/polcouns reiterated that no deal was possible with 
fugitives from U.S. justice. 
 
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AUC PETITION TO SERVE SENTENCES ABROAD 
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7. (C) In the last few weeks, AUC spokespersons have stated 
that after being convicted in Colombia, they would like to 
serve their time outside of the country, possibly in Europe. 
AUC leaders, especially, see no opportunities for them in 
Colombia and claim their lives would be in danger from fellow 
AUC and FARC members. 
WOOD