VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBO #3430/01 3031514
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 301512Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0561
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0137
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 0362
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0467
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0002
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ NOV LIMA 0502
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA

UNCLAS BOGOTA 003430 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV AORC KGHG CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA: INTERESTED IN HFCS PROPOSAL, BUT NOT SOLD 
 
REF: 09 STATE 095899; 09 BOGOTA 3081 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY:  Per reftel, Econoffs demarched GOC 
representatives from the Ministries of Environment (MOE) and 
Foreign Affairs (MFA) on the U.S./Canada/Mexico proposal to add 
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to the Montreal Protocol.  GOC officials 
showed interest in the proposal, but emphasized that before 
Colombia could take a position they seek clarification on pending 
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) issues, and notably several legal, 
technical, and economic concerns with the current proposal.  GOC 
officials would welcome the opportunity to meet with USG officials 
at the upcoming conference.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
 
¶2.  (SBU) On October 27, MFA and MOE officials met with Econoffs to 
outline their concerns about the U.S./Canada/Mexico proposal to add 
HFCs to the Montreal Protocol.  MOE's Javier Camargo highlighted 
GOC's interest in the proposal, but noted that at the upcoming 21st 
Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, GOC officials will 
seek first to resolve unfinished business regarding HCFCs.  He 
added that the GOC also plans to discuss its legal, technical, and 
economic concerns about the current proposal. 
 
 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Camargo highlighted the GOC's recent success eliminating 
the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).  On HCFCs, however, Camargo 
raised three outstanding items:  1) destruction of HCFCs; 2) 
financial support to eliminate HCFCs; and 3) institutional 
strengthening for implementation and enforcement.  Camargo plans to 
raise these items at the upcoming meeting, and indicated 
institutional building could be enhanced by sharing best practices, 
helping ministries manage the phasedown and destruction of HCFCs. 
 
 
 
------------------------------------- 
 
U.S./Canada/Mexico Proposal 
 
------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶4.  (SBU) GOC legal concerns are focused on how parties to the 
Montreal Protocol incorporate gases regulations that are currently 
under the scope of the United Nations Framework Convention on 
Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol.  Econoffs responded 
using reftel points, but GOC officials wanted more details. 
 
 
 
¶5.  (SBU) The GOC interlocutors raised several technical and 
economic issues:  a request for technology-transfer to help replace 
HFCs with alternative climate-friendly gases; access to patented 
technology from other countries (e.g. Japan) that utilizes non-HFC 
gases; multilateral financing to either develop these new gases or 
purchase licenses of patented technology; and financing to 
implement destruction methods of HFCs and accumulated ozone 
depleting substances (ODS). 
 
 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Camargo raised the increasing technological requirements, 
as well as higher operational and capital costs, associated with 
HCFC/HFC-free production.  These efforts would require multilateral 
financial support in order to make private sector implementation 
viable.  Financing would also be needed to support institutional 
strengthening and guarantee implementation.  Camargo highlighted 
that the destruction of ODS had been included in the 
Mauritius/Micronesia proposal, but not in the U.S./Canada/Mexico 
proposal.  He opined that it may have to do with financing. 
 
 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Camargo offered to discuss Colombia's views on reftel 
 
proposal with USG officials at the November 4-8 Montreal Protocol 
meeting.  He added that the current proposal was timely, 
particularly since the private sector is likely considering 
replacing HCFCs with HFCs.  More cost-effective alternatives are 
needed, he stressed.  Camargo hoped a roadmap would be developed 
that takes into consideration pending issues and Colombia's 
concerns regarding the current proposal.  As an aside, Camargo 
noted that Colombia's issues are in line with those of other 
countries in the region. 
BROWNFIELD