VZCZCXRO3881
PP RUEHPB
DE RUEHBO #3892 2982143
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 242143Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5256
INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1234
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ 9736
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 6683
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 0466
RUEHMU/AMEMBASSY MANAGUA 2443
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 9465
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 2561
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 2552
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1439
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 0005
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 7370
RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE 5171
RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR 2259
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0622
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1244
RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL 4658
RUEHIN/AIT TAIPEI 0122
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC

UNCLAS BOGOTA 003892 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EFIS PHSA SENV CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA RETOOLS ITS IATTC POLICY, BUT GOC 
PARTICIPATION IN NOVEMBER MEETING UNCERTAIN 
 
REF: A. BOGOTA 3146 
     ¶B. BOGOTA 3055 
     ¶C. STATE 77701 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary.  On October 23 MFA Director of Economic, 
Social and Environmental Affairs, Maria Andrea Alban, told 
EconCouns that the GOC has been meeting to revise its posture 
before the Inter-American 
Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in an effort to avoid the 
embarrassment caused in Panama (reftels).  The new policy 
committee -- comprised of representatives of the ministries 
of foreign affairs, environment, agriculture and trade -- 
will design a position more in line with the conservation and 
resource objectives of the IATTC.  However, Alban expressed 
concern that a recent government-wide travel prohibition 
mandated by President Uribe would prevent the GOC from 
participating in the November meeting in La Jolla and would 
leave the industry as the only Colombian voice present.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Alban noted that by decree the responsibility for 
setting GOC IATTC policy lies with a committee consisting 
only of governmental representatives, one each from the 
foreign affairs, environment, agriculture and trade 
ministries.  The industry has a voice through the agriculture 
ministry.  The group has met twice since the Panama encounter 
and will meet at least once more prior to La Jolla.  Alban 
reiterated the GOC regret over the performance in Panama and 
assured us that their policy approach will now be more in 
tune with the conservation and resource preservation goals of 
the IATTC. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Alban noted, however, that industry continues to 
exert considerable pressure on GOC policymakers.  She 
indicated that the inclusion of a Colombian vessel on the 
IATTC "black list" and the need for a greater quota were the 
two major bones of contention.  Industry is preaching the 
impact of IATTC restrictions on fishery employment in 
vulnerable coastal communities, an argument that has some 
resonance within the GOC. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Alban is extremely concerned that a government-wide 
travel prohibition instituted recently by President Uribe, 
which includes travel to multilateral meetings, would prevent 
GOC representation in La Jolla.  The industry, Alban 
emphasized, will be present as they are not subject to the 
travel restriction.  EconCouns suggested that in the event a 
GOC delegation could not travel to the meeting, the 
Colombians may wish to submit a policy statement to the 
Commission to make the official position clear and to prevent 
the industry from misrepresenting government policy. 
BROWNFIELD