VZCZCXYZ0089
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBO #2034/01 1552325
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 032325Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3055
INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0502
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JUN 9470
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 6236
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA PRIORITY 1813
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY 6906
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL PRIORITY 4449
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY

UNCLAS BOGOTA 002034 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR WHA/AND 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CO PHUM PGOV KJUS PREL
SUBJECT: MAPP/OAS HIGHLIGHTS PROGRESS/CHALLENGES IN 
PARAMILITARY PEACE PROCESS 
 
REF: BOGOTA 2013 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  (SBU) The MAPP/OAS (OAS Mission in Support of the Peace 
Process) eleventh draft report favorably evaluates the GOC 
reintegration program for demobilized paramilitaries as well 
as heightened GOC attention to victims, citing greater 
psychosocial assistance to the former paramilitaries, 
expansion of legal assistance to victims, and issuance of a 
new decree on reparations.  MAPP/OAS also identifies 
challenges requiring increased GOC attention, including 
resolving the uncertain judicial status of 19,000 demobilized 
paramilitaries, creating additional employment opportunities 
for the demobilized, obtaining better information on 
paramilitary child recruitment, and increasing GOC efforts to 
educate victims about their rights under the Justice and 
Peace Law (JPL). End Summary 
 
Eleventh MAPP/OAS Report Highlights Progress, 
Provides Recommendations for Continued Success 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The MAPP/OAS eleventh draft report (please protect 
until public release) evaluates JPL implementation and 
progress in recreating the "social fabric" of areas affected 
by the paramilitaries.  The report evaluates both the 
reintegration process for the demobilized and victims' access 
to truth, justice, and reparations.  Overall, the report is 
favorable, highlighting the progress made to date, including 
increased GOC emphasis on victims rights and expanding access 
to GOC services in rural areas. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Still, MAPP/OAS notes challenges requiring ongoing 
attention and reiterates that only sustained and expanded 
services on the part of state institutions can ensure the 
success of the JPL process.  These include the need to 
clarify the uncertain judicial status of 19,000 demobilized 
paramilitaries, use the JPL process to obtain more data on 
paramilitary child recruitment, create more employment 
opportunities for the demobilized, and increase GOC efforts 
to educate victims' about their rights.  MAPP/OAS coverage of 
emerging criminal groups is addressed in reftel. 
 
Reintegration 
------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) MAPP/OAS states the uncertain judicial status of 
19,000 demobilized paramilitaries threatens the framework of 
the JPL process.  A July 11, 2007 Supreme Court decision 
declared that former United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia 
(AUC) members did not qualify for the benefits of Law 782, 
thereby removing the legal basis for pardoning AUC rank and 
file members for crimes other than serious human rights 
violations.  MAPP/OAS calls for immediate resolution of the 
issue. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) MAPP/OAS recognizes the GOC's expansion of the 
scope of services to the demobilized, including 
individualized services, psychosocial treatment, and better 
access to health and education.  Still, the report warns that 
many demobilized are dissatisfied with the lack of job 
opportunities and are seeking increased assistance in finding 
employment.  MAPP/OAS considers the economic reintegration 
situation "precarious," since most employed demobilized are 
working in the informal sector. 
 
Victims Assistance 
------------------ 
 
¶6.  (SBU) MAPP/OAS notes with satisfaction the high level of 
victims' participation in the JPL process as well as the 
GOC's expansion of victims' assistance services.  130,000 
victims have joined the JPL process.  The 277 voluntary 
confessions heard to date have clarified crimes against 5,300 
victims, including some for which there had been no previous 
information.  The human rights ombudsman represents 4,000 
victims and has educated more than 15,500 victims on their 
JPL rights since May 2006. The Fiscalia has held 131 
education sessions, reaching over 20,000 participants. 
MAPP/OAS also applauds the GOC's expansion of Centers for 
 
Integrated Attention for Victims, which offer psychosocial 
and judicial services to victims. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Underscoring the abundance of information resulting 
from voluntary confessions, MAPP/OAS notes the lack of 
Fiscalia forensic staff available to investigate and verify 
reports on paramilitary victims.  For example, 146 remains 
have been returned to their families as a result of 
information collected in voluntary confession.  Still, the 
precise location of 3,588 mass graves and the remains of 
1,452 victims still require verification.  MAPP/OAS 
recommends more personnel to handle the growing caseload. 
The report praises the GOC's recent Reparations Decree, which 
it says could mitigate economic injuries and set reasonable 
expectations.  MAPP/OAS suggests reparations should include 
access to education and health services as well as cash 
payments and land restitution. 
 
Child Recruitment 
----------------- 
 
¶8.  (SBU) MAPP/OAS hails the GOC's newly created 
Intersectoral Commission for the Prevention of Recruitment 
and Use of Children by Illegal Groups.  The Commission will 
focus on prevention and the development of public policy to 
reduce risk factors.  MAPP/OAS calls on the GOC to strengthen 
this effort by actively seeking information on past child 
recruitment through voluntary confessions. 
 
Expanding Regional-Based Services 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU) MAPP/OAS underscores the importance of departmental 
and municipal engagement in the JPL process, highlighting the 
successes of Antioquia, Santander, and the Medellin municipal 
authorities.  The report praises the inclusion of 
reintegration strategies in departmental and municipal 
developmental plans.  MAPP/OAS commends the expanding scope 
of national services, such as the National Commission on 
Reparation and Reconciliation, which now has nine offices 
throughout the country.  Still, MAPP/OAS criticizes the 
absence of a GOC national strategy to reach out to all 
victims, particularly those in rural areas, and calls on the 
GOC to do more in this regard. 
 
Protection 
---------- 
 
¶10.  (SBU) MAPP/OAS commends the GOC's creation of a 
protection program for victims.  The GOC budgeted over $17 
million pesos (about $10,000 USD) in late 2007 to the 
Colombian National Police's victims' protection program.  The 
Ministry of Interior and Justice also provides protection 
training to victims; these training programs both educate 
citizens and enable the GOC to learn what type of services, 
information, and protection victims may need. 
BROWNFIELD