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Reference ID	Created	Released	Classification	Origin
08PARTO20501	2008-02-05 22:26	2011-08-30 01:44	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY	US Delegation, Secretary

VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUCNAI #0001/01 0362226
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 052226Z FEB 08
FM USDEL SECRETARY COLOMBIA
TO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA IMMEDIATE
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE IMMEDIATE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA IMMEDIATE
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS IMMEDIATE
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ FEB LIMA IMMEDIATE
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA IMMEDIATE
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO IMMEDIATE
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS PARTO 020501 
 
(Note:  the unique message record number (MRN) has been modified.  The original MRN was 08 PARTO 000001, which duplicates a previous PARTO telegram number.) 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
DEPT. PLEASE PASS TO USTR, AARON ROSENBERG, AND BENNETT 
HARMAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OVIP RICE CONDOLEEZZA ETRD ECIN EINV ELAB
PGOV, PHUM, PREL, PTER, SMIG, CO 
SUBJECT: Secretary Rice's Meeting with Colombian 
Demobilized Paramilitary Combatants 
 
¶1. (U) January 25, 2008; 10:45 a.m.; Medellin, Colombia. 
 
¶2. (U) Participants: 
 
United States 
The Secretary 
Ambassador William Brownfield 
Representative Melissa Bean 
Representative Eliot Engel 
Representative Jane Harman 
Representative Alcee Hastings 
Representative Ron Klein 
Representative Rick Larsen 
Representative Solomon Ortiz 
Representative Ed Perlmutter 
Representative David Scott 
A/S Jeffrey Bergner, H 
A/S Sean McCormack, PA 
A/S Tom Shannon, WHA 
A/S Daniel Sullivan, EEB 
S Chief of Staff Brian Gunderson 
Director of House Affairs Scott Kamins 
Deputy Executive Secretary Kevin Whitaker 
Carolyn Cooley, Embassy Notetaker 
 
COLOMBIA 
Medellin Mayor Alonso Salazar Jaramillo 
Ambassador Carolina Barco 
National Planning Director Carolina Renteria 
High Commissioner for Reintegration Frank Pearl 
Demobilized Paramilitary Combatants 
 
¶3. (SBU) SUMMARY. The Secretary and accompanying CODEL 
met with High Commissioner for Reintegration Frank Pearl, 
who described the successes and challenges of helping 
demobilized paramilitaries adapt to society. During 
breakout sessions with demobilized individuals, former 
fighters shared their personal histories, conveying a 
message of renewed optimism and appreciation for the 
Government of Colombia and the city of Medellin. Many 
noted the improved security situation contributes to safer 
communities and creates positive conditions for their 
reintegration. END SUMMARY. 
 
------------------------------------------- 
COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO DEMOBILIZED 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Pearl outlined the Colombian government's program 
for demobilized combatants, reporting that 46,000 
combatants had demobilized in the last five years. He 
said the average age of an ex-combatant is 26 and 50 
 
 
percent cannot read or write. The program aims to help 
the demobilized register and comply with program 
requirements, such as psycho-social counseling, home 
visits, and a pledge against returning to criminal 
activity. The reintegration program also provides 
educational and vocational training, and engages 
demobilized with local communities. The majority of 
demobilized are former United Self-Defense Forces of 
Colombia members, although 2,600 Revolutionary Armed 
Forces of Colombia members have also joined the program, 
including 150 in the past month. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Pearl said finding secure employment for 
demobilized paramilitary remains a challenge. Still, 
almost 19,000 work in the informal sector with only some 
3,000 participants having returned to crime. More formal 
sector jobs, such as would be generated by the bilateral 
Trade Promotion Agreement, would help strengthen the 
reintegration program and prevent recidivism. 
 
---------------------------------------- 
DEMOBILIZED EXPERIENCE: SHARED OPTIMISM 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) The Secretary's break out group included 
Representatives Engel and Ortiz, Ambassador Brownfield, 
Mayor Salazar, Pearl, and six demobilized paramilitaries. 
The ex-combatants' individual stories emphasized common 
themes: satisfaction with their reinsertion into civil 
life, appreciation of the support provided by the Medellin 
community, and recognition of the Colombian government's 
security improvements. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Two demobilized paramilitaries described their 
efforts to create "peace for all" in their jobs working 
with the displaced and victims of violence. Another noted 
communities throughout the country are now much safer due 
to the improved security. Many families and neighborhoods 
at last have "tranquility". One participant told the 
Secretary: "I am a new man. I can eat, sleep, and study 
here in peace. Medellin is the best city in the world." 
 
¶8. (SBU) The Secretary asked if they regretted their 
actions as paramilitaries; one replied that they had 
demobilized because of regret. The only woman in the 
group said she wanted to ensure her children did not 
follow the same violent path. Representative Engel asked 
about demobilized paramilitaries returning to delinquency. 
The group told him recidivism rarely occurs in Medellin 
where the demobilized receive strong community support. 
RICE

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Viewing cable 08PARTO20501, Secretary Rice's Meeting with Colombian