This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS BOGOTA 011206 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PINR PTER PHUM SNAR CO OAS AUC
SUBJECT: URIBE REJECTS AUC PROPOSAL TO JOIN MILITARY 
 
 
¶1. (U) President Uribe shot down a United Self Defense Forces 
of Colombia (AUC) proposal that demobilized paramilitaries be 
incorporated into the armed forces.  On October 28, Uribe 
said that members of an illegal armed group who demobilize 
would be given generous reinsertion benefits but would not be 
allowed to join the military.  Uribe was responding to an AUC 
communique released on October 26 that proposed demobilized 
AUC members assist the armed forces by protecting the 
country's infrastructure.  The AUC specified that the 
Ministry of Interior rather than the Ministry of Defense 
should supervise the initiative. 
 
¶2. (U) Although some high level officials, including Minister 
of Defense Uribe and OAS Mission Director Caramagna, have 
said parts of the proposal are worth considering, President 
Uribe's statements make it clear that demobilized 
paramilitaries will not be allowed to join the military. 
WOOD