VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBO #7990/01 3121842
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081842Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0043
INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 9518
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 5608
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 0799
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 6235

UNCLAS BOGOTA 007990 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON ETRD EAID PGOV ASEC CO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR BROWNFIELD'S OCTOBER 25-26 VISIT TO 
CARTAGENA 
 
 
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Summary 
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¶1.  The Ambassador visited Cartagena, capital of the 
Department of Bolivar for meetings with government, private 
sector, educational and religious leaders.  His interlocutors 
underscored that improved security had opened the door for 
economic growth and expressed interest in deepening the 
U.S.-Colombia relationship.  Bolivar Governor Simancas 
stressed the positive affect the U.S.-Colombia Trade 
Promotion Agreement (CTPA) would have on Bolivar given the 
department's strong manufacturing and shipping 
infrastructure.  End Summary. 
 
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Improved Security Fuels Economic Growth 
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¶2.  Bolivar Governor Libardo Simancas told the Ambassador 
that improved security created the potential for greater 
economic growth in Bolivar department.  He noted that in 2002 
most of Bolivar's mayors were not able to live in the towns 
they governed, and many municipalities lacked a police 
presence.  Today all mayors reside in their towns, and all 
municipalities have a police presence creating the 
fundamental conditions for increased private sector activity. 
 
 
¶3.  Governor Simancas noted the significant positive 
influence on tourism after the USG adjusted the language of 
the travel warning regarding Cartagena.  He said the CTPA 
would have a positive economic affect on Bolivar given the 
department's strong manufacturing and shipping 
infrastructure.  Simancas also highlighted Bolivar's solid 
financial condition, having paid off its debt of USD 91 
million during his administration.  Ambassador Brownfield 
said he first visited Cartagena in 1980 and he could see the 
many important improvements since that time. 
 
¶4.  Ambassador Brownfield then met students and faculty of 
the Los Robles school (a former USAID project) and donated 
125 books and other educational materials to the school.  Los 
Robles school serves the Nelson Mandela barrio, home to 
thousands of displaced families.  The Ambassador used the 
event to showcase the USG's commitment to assisting displaced 
and vulnerable populations through education, health and job 
training programs.  The Ambassador emphasized that improved 
security permitted these programs to exist in areas where 
they previously could not. 
 
¶5.  The Ambassador toured the port of Cartagena where 
officials pointed to security as the reason for the port's 
economic success.  Jorge Cadena, president of the Caribbean 
Shipping Agency, and Richard Rivadeneira, Princess Cruise 
Fleet Inspector, explained that improved security will lead 
to an anticipated quadrupling of cruise ships visits in 2007, 
from about 50 to close to 200.  Port General Manager Alfonso 
Salas Trujillo expects the number of containers moving 
through the port to also grow, from just under one million to 
4 million, in the next few years.  Salas said better 
security, particularly through programs established in close 
cooperation with the USG such as the Port Security Program 
and the Container Security Initiative, facilitates this 
increased port activity. 
 
¶6.  Lieutenant Colonel Hector Angarita Moncaleano, head of 
the GOC's anti-narcotics police for airports and seaports, 
briefed the Ambassador on the Port Security Program. 
Angarita said police seized almost 8,000 kilos of cocaine at 
the port this year.  The Ambassador noted the increased 
challenge of conducting thorough inspections without impeding 
the flow of goods.  Anti-narcotics police officials briefed 
the Ambassador on the newly implemented Container Security 
Initiative to detect and stop weapons of mass destruction 
from reaching the U.S. 
 
------------------------------------------ 
Broadening the U.S.-Colombian Relationship 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶7.  In remarks to 200 invitees to the Cartagena American 
Chamber of Commerce's 25th anniversary celebration, 
Ambassador Brownfield highlighted the important role that the 
Chamber plays in the U.S.-Colombia relationship.  He 
reiterated the USG's commitment to securing approval of the 
CTPA as soon as possible, and emphasized his vision of 
broadening the bilateral relationship beyond counternarcotics 
 
and security to include deeper economic and social 
cooperation.  AmCham guests welcomed the prospect of 
strengthened economic relations and the Chamber's leadership 
underscored their willingness to work closely with the 
Embassy. 
 
¶8.  In a meeting with Cartagena's Archbishop, Monsignor Jorge 
Enrique Jimenez Carvajal, the Ambassador discussed 
strengthening church social programs through three 
mechanisms: involving U.S. business in church social 
programs, finding ways to partner with USAID programs where 
appropriate, and building connections with U.S. churches. 
Monsignor Jimenez expressed interest, and mentioned that the 
Archbishop of Atlanta had recently traveled to Colombia and 
might wish to participate.  He confirmed that the Colombia 
Catholic Church was watching carefully what was happening 
across the border, and was prepared to help the Venezuelan 
Church if necessary. 
 
¶9.  Ambassador Brownfield met with Vice Minister of 
Communications Daniel Medina and Manuel Martinez, Executive 
Director of the Center for Telecommunications Research 
(CINTEL), to discuss telecommunications priorities in 
Colombia.  Medina emphasized President Uribe's priority in 
increasing access to the Internet in rural schools and 
institutions.  Director Martinez highlighted the potential 
for Internet access to revolutionize educational and 
healthcare opportunities in Colombia at a relatively low 
cost.  Ambassador Brownfield encouraged the GOC and CINTEL to 
seek out partnerships in these areas with U.S. technology 
firms engaged in corporate social responsibility. 
 
¶10.  Ambassador Brownfield visited the Universidad 
Tecnologica de Bolivar, Bolivar's largest and most 
prestigious private university to discuss how the Embassy 
could help develop links with U.S. schools.  The Ambassador 
held a roundtable discussion with 50 students and faculty and 
outlined his vision of ways to increase ties between the U.S. 
and Colombia through economic, educational, and cultural 
relationships.  Students queried the Ambassador on issues 
ranging from the future of Latin America to the prospects for 
the CTPA.  Ambassador Brownfield hosted breakfast for over 
one dozen current and former Fulbrighters and proposed the 
idea of resurrecting a Fulbright alumni association.  The 
Ambassador said Fulbrighters can serve as "cultural bridges" 
between the U.S. and Colombia, and help support new 
candidates for education in the U.S.  The Fulbrighters 
enthusiastically agreed and said they would begin developing 
ideas to this end. 
Brownfield