Colombia y las FARC

Cable sobre una futura reunión con Suecia

Intermediarios suecos preparan un encuentro entre representantes del Gobierno colombiano y la guerrilla

08 dic 2010 - 22:19CET

ID:	248483
Date:	2010-02-11 23:38:00
Origin:	10BOGOTA227
Source:	Embassy Bogota
Classification:	SECRET//NOFORN
Dunno:	10BOGOTA13
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S E C R E T BOGOTA 000227 SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 2035/02/11 TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PTER, CO SUBJECT: GOC CLAIMS SOME PROGRESS WITH FARC, ELN REF: BOGOTA 13 CLASSIFIED BY: Brian Nichols, Deputy Chief of Mission; REASON: 1.4(B), (D) 1. (S/NF) Summary: Swedish intermediaries have reportedly arranged for a meeting in Sweden between representatives of the Government of Colombia (GOC) and representatives of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Separately, negotiations proceeded for the humanitarian release of two military prisoners held by the FARC. The GOC and other observers believe opposition Senator Piedad Cordoba engineered delays in the release to maximize impact before the March 14 congressional elections. The National Liberation Army (ELN) also responded positively to a request for a meeting, likely in Colombia, to discuss possible peace talks. End Summary. FARC Hints At Meeting in Sweden ------------------------------- 2. (S/NF) High Commissioner for Peace Frank Pearl told Polcouns February 4 that the Swedish Ambassador had relayed a positive response by FARC leadership to a GOC offer to meet (reftel). Pearl said the information had been passed by an unidentified FARC member living in Sweden via a former Swedish Ambassador to Colombia and current head of the International Council of Swedish Industry (NIR). Pearl said in the message the FARC had agreed in principle to a meeting between two GOC representatives and two members of the High Command ("Estado Mayor"), but not with higher-ranking FARC Secretariat members. Pearl said he agreed to the meeting on the condition that that FARC not appoint as one of its representatives Southern Block Deputy Commander alias Fabian Ramirez, whom the GOC considers a major narco-trafficker and criminal. Pearl said he had discussed with the Government of Sweden its facilitation of the meeting, including the transportation of the FARC representatives to Sweden. Pearl presumed that the two representatives would be among those FARC leaders residing in Venezuela, thus facilitating their international travel. (Note: The current Swedish Ambassador to Colombia did not mention these developments in a February 4 breakfast with the Ambassador.) Humanitarian Release Delayed By Electoral Politics --------------------------------------------- ----- 3. (S/NF) Pearl confirmed rumors that the Government of Brazil had agreed to facilitate the humanitarian release of Colombian soldiers Pablo Moncayo (held by the FARC since December 1997) and Josue Calvo (held since April 2009). The FARC also agreed to deliver the remains of Colombian Army major Julian Ernesto Guevara. Pearl discounted reports in December that the FARC had rejected Brazil in favor of Argentina. He pointed out that the message had come from former president and left-wing Liberal Party official Ernesto Samper. Pearl theorized that Samper was working on behalf of opposition senator Piedad Cordoba, who had been in contact with the FARC over the releases. Catholic Church peace envoy XXXXXXXXXXXX complained to us on February 1 that Cordoba had been manipulating the release date to place it nearer to the March 14 congressional elections. Indeed, Cordoba told the press on February 7 that she expected the releases to come at the end of February. XXXXXXXXXXXX lamented that Gustavo Moncayo, hostage Moncayo's father and a Polo Democratico candidate for the Senate, appeared complicit in this plan. Pearl said the GOC plans to move ahead regardless of dates, though International Commission for the Red Cross country director Christophe Beney told us on February 8 that he fears the GOC will further delay the release so as not to give Cordoba and Moncayo free campaign publicity. Pearl publicly echoed complaints of FARC political manipulation in February 10 remarks to the press, but said the GOC would cooperate with a release nonetheless. ELN Also Accepts Meeting Offer ------------------------------ 4. (S/NF) Pearl also reported that his offer for a meeting with the ELN had been accepted. He had yet to confirm a date or location, though he expected the meeting would take place in the Colombia. He said he was going to Medellin to meet with jailed ELN member XXXXXXXXXXXX to discuss details. As with the FARC, the purpose of the meeting is to establish a line of communication that could lead to a "roadmap" toward eventual peace talks. Pearl's hope is to have roadmaps on the ELN and FARC ready for the next administration when it takes office in August. BROWNFIELD