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P 071715Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0562
INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY

UNCLAS BOGOTA 010325 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OVIP PREL PGOV PHUM PTER KJUS CO
SUBJECT: U/S BURNS' OCTOBER 25 MEETING WITH COLOMBIAN 
PROSECUTOR GENERAL IGUARAN 
 
 
¶1. (U)  October 25, 2006; 1300PM. 
 
¶2. (U)  Participants in Iguaran Meeting: 
 
U.S. 
 
Under Secretary Burns 
Assistant Secretary for WHA Thomas P. Shannon 
Ambassador William B. Wood 
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Mary Lee Warren 
NSC - Dan Tomlinson 
Attorney Advisor Patricia Pugh, L 
Political Counselor John Creamer 
P Special Assistant Heide Bronke 
Political Officer David M. Zimov (notetaker) 
 
COLOMBIA 
 
Prosecutor General Mario Iguaran 
Acting Deputy Prosecutor General Ramiro Marin 
Chief of Antinarcotics Unit Camilo Bula 
Office of International Affairs and CTI Director Marilu Mendez 
 
¶3. (U)  Summary.  Prosecutor General Mario Iguaran emphasized 
the critical role the Fiscalia plays on major 
issues of common concern: narcotics, human rights, and 
justice and peace. Colombia's transition from an 
inquistorial toward an accusatory system was also 
highlighted.  End summary. 
 
¶4. (U)  Under Secretary Burns expressed support for the 
efforts of the Fiscalia, particularly in the area of 
justice and peace (J&P), and stressed the importance of 
U.S.-Colombia partnership in combating drug trafficking and 
terrorist groups.  With respect to the J&P law, Burns voiced 
the concerns raised by some human rights groups and 
members of Congress that the law is too lenient and should 
include stronger penalties. He said strict implementation of 
the law would be key, and noted that the Fiscalia's role 
would be critical.  Burns also emphasized the importance of 
human rights and the need to resolve long-standing human 
rights cases.  Progress in these areas would be critical in 
maintaining U.S. Congressional support for assistance to 
Colombia.  Burns thanked the Fiscal for Colombian help on 
extradition. 
 
¶5. (U)  Deputy Attorney General Mary Lee Warren emphasized 
the importance of cooperation between the Department of 
Justice and the Fiscalia, as well as U.S. training and 
technical assistance for the Fiscalia's J&P efforts.  She 
reiterated U.S. concerns regarding human rights cases, 
particularly the Jamundi case.  Assistant Secretary Thomas 
Shannon emphasized the importance of a strong justice system, 
noting that an effective justice system contributes to 
national development.  He also stressed the USG commitment to 
work with the Fiscalia.  Ambassador Wood said 
the Fiscalia is central to every aspect of U.S.-Colombia 
relations, citing in particular extradition and J&P.  He 
reiterated our commitment to help the GoC bring paramilitary 
leaders to justice, and our admiration for the 
efforts of the Fiscalia Human Rights Unit.  He also 
emphasized the importance of concrete action on human 
rights cases such as Jamundi, Mapiripan, and Arauca. 
 
¶6. (U)  Iguaran thanked Under Secretary Burns for continued 
USG assistance. U.S. help was essential to GoC efforts to 
combat criminal groups and implement the J&P law.  He 
reiterated his commitment to an effective extradition 
relationship as well as his determination to resolve human 
rights cases such as Jamundi.  He agreed on the critical 
role the Fiscalia has in the implementation of the J&P law. 
He explained that the J&P Unit, as required by law, had 
notified victims of pending confessions, and that the 
Fiscalia had to allow the 20-day notification period to run 
before beginning the confession (version libre) process. This 
20-day period will expire in the first week of November for 
the six paramilitary leaders--including Salvador Mancuso--who 
have ratified their intention to seek J&P benefits.  Iguaran 
emphasized that he is committed to implementing the Justice 
and Peace law, and said he expects 
prosecutors will not accept confessions of offenses committed 
prior to membership in illegally armed organizations.   He 
also said judges will not grant benefits to demobilized 
members if they do not confess all of the offenses they 
committed as members of illegally armed groups. 
WOOD