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UNCLAS BOGOTA 006329 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PINR PREL PTER CO
SUBJECT: REPRESENTATIVE BLUNT MEETS WITH VICE PRESIDENT 
SANTOS 
 
¶1.  Summary:  Representative Roy Blunt (R-MO) met with Vice 
President Santos on August 22 to discuss counter narcotics 
cooperation and prospects for U.S. congressional approval of 
the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Santos voiced 
optimism regarding degradation of the FARC's network and 
continued success on joint drug eradication programs.  He 
reiterated the GOC's commitment to human rights and 
protection of labor unionists.  Santos urged the U.S. 
Congress to approve the FTA before the end of the year, 
saying failure to do so would weaken the U.S. position in the 
region. End Summary. 
 
¶2.  U.S. Participants: 
 
Representative Roy Blunt 
CDA Brian Nichols 
Brian Diffell, Office of the Republican Whip 
Poloff (notetaker) 
 
Colombia Participants: 
 
Vice President Francisco Santos 
Ambassador Carolina Barco 
MFA official Luis Araujo 
 
----------------------------------- 
Winning the War Against FARC, Drugs 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  Vice President Santos expressed optimism about the fight 
against the approximately 15,000 remaining FARC members.  The 
GOC has made life more difficult for the FARC as the 
Colombian military expands its presence and conducts more 
aggressive operations.  The FARC has lost its ideological 
appeal and internal discipline as it has focused more on 
narcotrafficking.  Ambassador Barco said public support for 
the FARC is at an all-time low (1%) because of its violence 
and use of land mines.  Ten thousand FARC have deserted in 
the past four years, with 85 mid-level commanders deserting 
so far this year.  The rate of desertions continues to 
increase as news spreads about the positive effects of 
desertion, such as education opportunities, financial 
assistance and family reunions. 
 
¶4.  Santos said the GOC's fight against drugs has never been 
more aggressive.  Extradition, interdiction, and aerial 
spraying remain key to the program.  Manual eradication would 
play an increasing role as a way to involve the population in 
 eradication efforts.  The Charge underscored U.S. support 
for eradication that took $400 million a year out of the 
hands of the FARC.  Santos reaffirmed the GOC's commitment to 
promoting rural employment and alternative crops, especially 
since the coffee and cotton sectors have suffered from 
competition and a strong peso. Santos warned any cut in the 
military component of Plan Colombia would give the FARC more 
"breathing room" to expand its drug network.  President 
Uribe's "wealth tax" of 1.8% during his first term and 3.5% 
during his second term has received public support because 
Colombians see the benefits of a more secure, safe country. 
 
------------------------------ 
FTA Debate Affects Geopolitics 
------------------------------ 
 
¶5.  Barco urged the USG to press Congress to consider the FTA 
in October, after Peru and before Panama.  The GOC had 
already submitted the revised labor and environmental 
provisions to its Congress, and passage was expected by the 
end of September.  It is also preparing a document outlining 
the GOC's efforts on labor violence and human rights, 
including commitments beyond 2007.  Barco voiced frustration 
about the politicization of the FTA. 
 
¶6.  Santos asserted the FTA vote represented the most 
important U.S. congressional vote on Latin American policy in 
thirty years.  He said U.S.-Colombian relations had 
strengthened in the past ten years. Colombia has been a good 
friend, resisting regional pressures and acting as a mediator 
between the United States and Latin America. Radicals in 
Colombia and the region would only increase their pressure if 
the United States does not pass the FTA. 
 
¶7.  The Charge agreed geopolitical factors are vital, but 
said the GOC also needed to show concrete progress in 
prosecuting human rights cases, especially in cases of 
 
violence against unionists.  Representative Blunt underscored 
the importance of human rights and his support for continued 
economic and security cooperation.  Santos and Barco thanked 
the Representative for his support. 
Nichols