US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA10893

UNCLAS BOGOTA 010893 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB, PGOV, PHUM, CO, ILO 
SUBJECT: GOC REQUESTS U.S. FUNDING OF ILO-SPONSORED 
COLOMBIA PROGRAMS 
 
REF: BOGOTA 10447 
 
Sensitive but unclassified.  Not for Internet distribution. 
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Summary 
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1.  (U) The GOC has requested that the U.S. help finance the 
ILO's Special Program for Colombia, outlined in reftel.  The 
Embassy supports the program and recommends funding at least 
three of the four projects because they assist in the 
demobilization and reinsertion process, address major 
concerns of the labor movement, and focus on local, 
sustainable economic development.  End Summary 
 
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GOC Joins ILO in Requesting U.S. Support 
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2.  (U) On November 10, 2005, the GOC sent a diplomatic note 
requesting that the U.S. support the Special Program for 
Colombia whose financing was initially to be discussed at a 
November 14-15 international donor's conference in Geneva 
(copy faxed to WHA/AND).  The diplomatic note followed the 
ILO's separate request that the U.S. support four projects, 
each with a pricetag of around $1 million (reftel). 
 
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Intersection of ILO Objectives and U.S. Interests 
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3.  (SBU) The goals of the four ILO projects coincide with 
U.S. objectives in Colombia; the embassy recommends that the 
U.S. support at least the first three projects; the fourth 
project is also valuable but could be somewhat duplicative of 
other ILO efforts.  The projects are aimed at: (1) displaced 
and demobilized youth; (2) fundamental labor rights and 
collective bargaining; (3) local economic development; and 
(4) generating employment for women through local enterprises. 
 
  --  Employment for displaced and demobilized youth: this 
project supports the U.S. goal of facilitating the 
demobilization and reinsertion process.  The project will 
incorporate elements of an existing program in Cochabamba, 
Bolivia that has successfully reintegrated youth involved in 
narco-trafficking.  The program supports our MPP objective of 
dismantling criminal organizations. 
 
  --  Strengthening social dialogue over fundamental labor 
rights and collective bargaining: this is an extension of the 
first phase of ILO's Special Program.  The tripartite 
(government, labor, private sector) sessions organized 
through this project address priority issues for the 
Colombian labor movement, such as freedom of association. 
The program supports our MPP objective of promoting universal 
human rights standards. 
 
  --  Promote economic development at the local level: this 
project aims to help local authorities and business leaders 
to create jobs, increase productivity, and strengthen 
competitiveness.  The project will provide training to a wide 
swath of local actors, including trade associations, 
businesses, and municipal workers.  The program supports our 
MPP alternative development goal. 
 
  --  Generating employment for women: this project intends 
to increase employment opportunities for women by working 
with small businesses.  While gender employment disparities 
are a significant issue in Colombia, this project overlaps to 
some extent with the ILO's more general local employment 
initiative above. 
 
 
DRUCKER